Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The front courtyard of the mosque is a favourite place for locals to congregate. On
Wednesday the streets behind and to the north of the mosque host the
Çarşamba Pazarı
(Fatih Pazarı, Wednesday Market), a busy weekly market selling food, clothing and
household goods.
THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Rum Ortodoks Patrikhanesi) is the symbolic
headquarters of the Greek Orthodox church, the 'Mother Church' of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
It has been led by 270 Ecumenical Patriarchs since its establishment in AD 330.
To the Turkish government, the Ecumenical Patriarch is a Turkish citizen of Greek descent nomin-
ated by the church and appointed by the government as an official in the Directorate of Religious Af-
fairs. In this capacity he is the religious leader of the country's Orthodox citizens and is known offi-
cially as the Greek Patriarch of Fener (Fener Rum Patriği).
The Patriarchate has been based in a series of churches over its history, including Aya İrini (Hagia
Eirene, 272-398), Aya Sofya (Hagia Sofya, 398-1453) and the Church of Pammakaristos (Fethiye
Museum, 1456-1587). It moved to its current location in Fener in 1601.
The relationship between the Patriarchate and the wider Turkish community has been strained in
the past, no more so than when Patriarch Gregory V was hanged for treason after inciting Greeks to
overthrow Ottoman rule at the start of the Greek War of Independence (1821-32).
Current tensions are focused on the Turkish government's refusal to allow the the Patriarchate to
reopen the Orthodox Theological School of Halki, located on Heybeliada in the Princes Islands.
Opened in 1844, the school was closed by government order in 1971.
MİHRİMAH SULTAN MOSQUE
OFFLINE MAP
| MOSQUE
GOOGLE MAP
(Mihrimah Sultan Camii; Ali Kuşçu Sokak, Edirnekapı; 31E, 32, 36K, 38E from Eminönü, 87 from
Taksim)
The great architect Mimar Sinan put his stamp on the entire city, and this mosque,
constructed in the 1560s next to the Edirnekapı section of the historic land walls, is one of
his best works. Commissioned by Süleyman the Magnificent's favourite daughter,
Mihrimah, it features a wonderfully light and airy interior with delicate stained-glass win-
dows and an unusual 'bird cage' chandelier.
