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Fatih Camii, Istanbul
Ali Kuşçu Mahallesi, Hattat Nafiz Cd No:6, 34083 Fatih/Istanbul, Türkiye
RELIGIONS Islam
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE
DESCRIPTION The Fatih Mosque Complex (Fatih Camii ve Külliyesi) in Istanbul has a lovely interior like many Turkish mosques, but the primary importance of this mosque is its illustrious permanent resident, Mehmet the Conqueror (Fatih Mehmet).
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE The Imperial Fatih Mosque was constructed between 1462 and 1470 by Sultan Fatih Mehmet ("Mehmet the Conqueror"; 1432-81), who took Constantinople in 1453. The architect was Atik Sinan, not to be confused with the Sinan hired by Suleyman.
Sultan Mehmet's goal was to build an Islamic monument more spectacular than the Ayasofya Church. Legend has it that when the mosque failed to reach as high as the church - despite being bulit atop a hill - the sultan had the architect's hands cut off.
The mosque complex included a caravansary, a hospital, several hamams, the kitchens, and a market. Its school instructed up to 1,000 students at a time.
After an earthquake in 1509, the complex was restored by Beyazit II. During another earthquake in 1771, most of it collapsed. The present mosque and complex mostly date from a reconstruction under Mustafa III, completed in 1771. The mihrab, medreses (schools), and inner courtyard survive from the original complex.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE The Fatih Mosque was built over the site of the Church of the Holy Apostles. Reused building materials from the church, such as column pieces and stone blocks of the foundations, have been identified in the courtyard of the Fatih Mosque.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE Each Wednesday the area around the mosque is filled with a busy street market. Mosque has crowded community.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS Direct visit to Mosque is allowed.
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