Yeni Valide Camii

The Yeni Valide Mosque behind the pier square in Üsküdar was commissioned by Gülnuş Emetullah Sultan, mother of Ahmed III; work began in 1708 and the mosque was completed in 1711. The complex brings together the end of the classical period and the taste of the Tulip Era. Its square courtyard, larger than the prayer hall, its two minarets with two balconies each, the Kütahya tiles around the mihrab and some of the earliest known bird houses stand out. The founder's tomb with its cage-like dome and bronze grilles, and a sebil and fountain dated 1709, also belong to the complex. It is a working mosque, so visitors should respect prayer times and dress rules.