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The Atik Valide Mosque (Atik Valide Camii) belongs to an important mosque complex in Istanbul. It’s located in the Üsküdar district.
Getting There
The Atik Valide Mosque is accessible via a 20 minute walk or a short taxi ride from Üsküdar Square. You can also get there by taking the M5 metro line from Üsküdar Square to Bağlarbaşı. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the Bağlarbaşı metro station, with the Tiled Mosque along the way.
History
The large Atik Valide Complex (Atik Valide Külliyesi) was built by architect Mimar Sinan (1490-1588). It was commissioned by Nurbanu Sultan (1525-1583), mother of Murad III and chief consort of Selim II. It was one of two great mosque complexes built by Mimar Sinan in Constantinople.
The mosque was originally planned as a small mosque with a single minaret but the plans kept expanding. It was built in three stages from 1571 to 1586. The first stage included the mosque itself and lasted from 1571 to 1574. That stage was overseen by another architect because Mimar Sinan was based in Edirne at the time building the Selimiye Mosque.
The second stage took place between 1577 and 1578. This involved the addition of a second minaret and a double portico.
The third and final stage occurred after the death of Nurbanu Sultan. It involved the expansion of the mosque and the addition of two small domes. It took place between 1584 and 1586.
Complex
The Atik Valide Complex contained a madrasa, hospital, medical school, caravanserai, hamam, Quran recital school, dervish convent, elementary school, and more. It’s interesting to know the hospital was in use well into the 20th century.
Although the Atik Valide Complex was under renovation during my last visit, I was able to see much of it from the outside. The covered ablutions fountain (şadırvan) is one of my favorite parts of the complex.
Prayer Hall
The prayer hall of the mosque is beautifully decorated as expected. It features a mihrab covered with Iznik tiles. For a virtual tour, click here.
The Atik Valide Mosque includes a dome 12.7 meters (42 feet) in diameter. It’s supported on six arches arranged in a hexagon.
