Yeni Valide Mosque

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The Yeni Valide Mosque in Üsküdar, Istanbul, is an 18th‑century Ottoman mosque built from 1708 to 1710. It was commissioned by Gülnuş Sultan, the mother of Sultan Ahmed III, and was the last major mosque in Üsküdar built by royal Ottoman women during that period. The project was led by the architect Kayserili Mehmed Ağa, though his exact role is unclear. The mosque is part of a larger complex (külliye) that includes a pavilion for the sultan, an imaret (public kitchen), a market street, a primary school, Gülnuş Sultan’s tomb, a courtyard fountain, and other facilities.

Architecturally, it follows traditional Ottoman design and was inspired by the Şehzade Mosque. The main prayer hall is square, topped by a central dome with four half-domes, and it has two minarets with two balconies each. Inside, the walls and vaults feature Muqarnas and floral tile patterns, and the calligraphy by Hezarfen Mehmet Efendi includes Qur’anic verses and names of God. Gülnuş Sultan’s tomb in the complex is notable for its bird-cage-like lattice.

The courtyard contains a central fountain and many trees, with a marble public fountain completed in 1709 nearby. The Yeni Valide Mosque is a fine example of the Classical Ottoman style and the Sinan School, reflecting the political power and patronage of imperial women during the Tulip Period.