MOSQUES COMMISSIONED BY SULTANS’ MOTHERS
Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Sept 2013
3 September 2013 /SAMET ALTINTAÅ~^, Ä°STANBUL During certain critical
eras of Ottoman rule, the mothers of reigning sultans, referred to as
“valide sultan” in Turkish, were the ones who were actually in power.
Some of the mosques commissioned by these women left an indelible
mark on the capital city of the Ottomans. These are mosques which,
despite the concrete that seems to rule over many districts of the
city, live on, still trying to tell us something.
As Turkish novelist Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar asserted in his book “BeÅ~_
Å~^ehir,” “As much as Ä°stanbul is known for its large architectural
feats, it is also a city of small corners and surprising landscapes.
In fact, it is in these latter aspects that one should search out the
inner Ä°stanbul.” The historic mosques that dot various districts of
Ä°stanbul, commissioned originally by certain “valide sultans,” provide
almost a source of oxygen for the crowded city. Some of these works
were orphaned while they were being built — their designers died —
and others spread their aesthetic charm into the city around them.
Bezmiâlem Valide Sultan Mosque
Bezmiâlem Valide Sultan Mosque (Dolmabahce)
Bezmiâlem Valide Sultan was the wife of Sultan Mahmud II, and the
mother of Sultan Abdulmecid I. She was known as being one of the
most philanthropic of all Ottoman women. The construction of this
particular mosque began during the time of this valide sultan, though
it was only completed after her death, on orders from Abdulmecid Han.
Sitting right on the water, this mosque’s architectural plan was done
by Armenian architect Garabet Balyan. It opened for prayers in 1855.
According to art historians, the most notable aspect of this mosque is
that it possesses a very clear and defined form and geometric design.
The structure is also accepted as being the most whole and
all-encompassing example of classicism from the mid-19th century.
During the Turkish era of single party rule, the mosque was used
as the home of the Maritime Museum, though it was restored in 1966,
and opened once again for service. This mosque was most recently in
the spotlight during the Gezi Park uprisings.
Valide-i Atik Mosque
Valide-i Atik Mosque (Uskudar)
This mosque is famous for the reference made to it by writer Yahya
Kemal, in his poem “Atik Valde’den Ä°nen Sokakta,” wherein he describes
his feelings on a day of the holy month of Ramadan. Known also as
the Eski Valide Mosque, this spot was commissioned in 1583 to hold an
entire mosque complex by the wife of Sultan Selim II, Afife Nurbanu,
who was also the mother of Sultan Murad III.
Though this mosque complex originally featured a madrassa, a dervish
lodge, a children’s school, a caravanserai and a hospital, the only
parts that still function in their original forms are the mosque
itself and the hamam, which has not lost the detailing it boasted
from the 16th century. The other structures in this complex await
restoration. In the meantime, this mosque also holds some of the
most beautiful examples there are of Ä°znik tiles, in its mihrab
(prayer niche) area. Noted by travel writer Evliya Celebi, this
mosque is akin to an island within Uskudar. As elderly gentlemen
sip their tea under the centuries-old trees, one can really feel
that time unwinds here, letting you journey, if only in your mind,
back through the ages. The sort of undemanding magnificence boasted
by this mosque is particularly notable as it stands within a sea of
concrete that rises up around it throughout the city.
Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque (Photos: Reuters)
Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque (Aksaray)
This mosque was built between the years of 1869-1871, on the orders
of Pertevniyal Valide Sultan, who was the wife of Sultan Mahmud II,
and the mother of Sultan Abdulaziz Han. Its architect was Montani,
though some say that its lines were also influenced by a famous
architect of the times, Sarkis Balyan. Blue is the overwhelming color
used in the decorations in this mosque and it is set off by abundant
amounts of gold gilding. The courtyard gates of the mosque look out
onto Aksaray Square, and these gates themselves are accepted as a
rare example of beautiful Ottoman style stonework. After her son,
Sultan Abdulaziz, was brought down and killed following a coup against
the throne, Pertevniyal Valide Sultan went into seclusion. Some say
she wept into her prayer rugs, crying, “I can forgive everything,
but not the blood of my son.” This notable valide sultan died in
1883, and her grave now rests in the gardens of the mosque she had
commissioned so many years ago.
Yeni Valide Mosque
Yeni Valide Mosque (Uskudar)
Construction on this mosque began in 1708, and was completed in 1711,
when the mosque first opened for prayers. The Yeni Valide Mosque is
also known as the Valide-i Cedid. The structure is located close
to the Uskudar center and docks, and was originally commissioned
by Emetullah Rabia GulnuÅ~_ Sultan, the mother of Sultan Ahmet II
and Mustafa III. Built by Mehmet Aga of Kayseri, this mosque boasts
two minarets with two galleries apiece, as well as a notably serene
courtyard, access to which can be found via five different gates. As
the benefactor of this historic mosque, the Valide Sultan lies in
her tomb — which itself is reminiscent of a paradisiacal garden —
in the courtyard of the mosque. When you finally come to see this
mosque, you might hear writer Yahya Kemal whisper in your ears,
“As the years pass by, Ä°stanbul, appears to have depth not just
through land but through history.” This historic mosque is also,
it should be noted, where Fethullah Gulen gave his special sermons
talking about the life of the Prophet Mohammed inspired by his book
on the topic called “Sonsuz Nur” (Infinite Light).
Yeni Mosque (Eminönu)
This is the first mosque that comes to most people’s minds when
the district of Eminönu is mentioned. Yeni Mosque is also known as
the Valide Sultan Mosque. Its foundations were put down in 1597, on
orders from Safiye Sultan, who was the wife of Sultan Murad III. The
mosque actually opened for prayers in 1663 following efforts made by
a different valide sultan, Hatice Turhan Sultan. Architects played an
important role in the fate of this mosque. The construction began under
the architectural watch of architect Davut Aga, though it continued
under the guidance of architect Dalgıc Ahmet Aga. The mosque was
finally completed through the work of the head architect under Sultan
Mehmed IV, Mustafa Aga. The same dome plan used in Å~^ehzadebaÅ~_ı
and Sultanahmet Mosques can also be seen in this mosque. As for the
famous steps leading up into the mosque, they are a well-known place
to sit and take a break for people who have newly arrived in Ä°stanbul.
As for the ubiquitous pigeons that can be seen all around this mosque,
they give passers-by the sense that they have always been there,
at least since the time this structure went up.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-325308-mosques-commissioned-by-sultans-mothers.html