Last updated on December 21, 2023.

The Old Mosque (Eski Cami) is the oldest mosque in Edirne, Turkey. It sits in the historic city center across from the Bedesten and near other historic mosques.

Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Old Mosque
Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Old Mosque

 

History

The Old Mosque was built between 1402 and 1414. It was commissioned by Emir Süleyman (1377-1411), the son of Sultan Bayezid I and one of the claimants to the throne during the Ottoman Interregnum. The mosque was finished by his brother, Sultan Mehmed I.

Old Mosque at sunset in Edirne, Turkey
Old Mosque at sunset

 

Minarets

Two minarets stand outside the mosque. There was originally just one minaret but a second taller  minaret was added by Sultan Murad II in the first half of the 15th century.

Minaret at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Minaret

 

Entrance

The entrance to the mosque is under an arched portico. An inscription sits above the entrance to the portico. There’s an ablutions fountain just outside the entrance to the portico on the left.

Portico
Inscription above the entrance to the portico at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Inscription above the entrance to the portico
Ablutions fountain

The portico features some of the beautiful calligraphy the mosque is known for. The calligraphy to the right of the entrance spells Allah and to the left spells Muhammad.

Entrance at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Entrance
Calligraphy spelling Allah at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Calligraphy spelling Allah
Calligraphy spelling Muhammad at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Calligraphy spelling Muhammad

 

Prayer Hall

The prayer hall is very spacious and features several arches and large columns supporting the domes. The column bases are decorated with calligraphy.

Prayer hall
Prayer hall at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Prayer hall
Mihrab and minbar at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Mihrab and minbar
Minbar

The mosque has nine intricately decorated domes. All of the domes are painted with unique patterns and colors and contain windows to let in natural light.

Dome
Dome
Corner
Dome at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Dome

 

Calligraphy

The mosque is best known for the incredible calligraphy on the walls. Some of it nearly stretches the entire wall from floor to the ceiling.

Large example of calligraphy in the prayer hall
Calligraphic monogram of an Ottoman sultan
Calligraphic monogram of an Ottoman sultan

 

More Photos

Click here for a virtual tour of the mosque. Here are a few more photos of the prayer hall of the Old Mosque:

Prayer hall at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Prayer hall
Arches at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Arches
Looking towards the entrance at Old Mosque (Eski Cami) in Edirne, Turkey
Looking towards the entrance
Sultan’s loge
Arches in the prayer hall
Detail on the minbar
Painting on the woodwork above the entrance

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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