In particular, the Janissaries resented the growing political power of the Valide Sultan, and believed the mosque to be an unnecessary expenditure. However, the vast monetary outlay drew sharp criticism. In situating the mosque there, Sultana Safiye hoped to extend the sphere of Islamic influence within the city, capitalizing on the growing discontent of local and foreign merchants caused by the growing power and influence of their Jewish counterparts, which gave the Sultan an easy justification for confiscating their property. The Eminönü neighborhood was the city's foremost commercial center, and home to a predominantly Jewish population. The project was hampered by political disconnect, and its location and monetary implications created dissent in the court. The construction took more than half a century and was completed by another Valide Sultan, Sultana Turhan Hatice, mother of Sultan Mehmed IV. However, Davut Ağa died in 1599 and was replaced by Dalgıç Ahmed Çavuş. The original architect was Davut Ağa, an apprentice to the great Mimar Sinan. She ordered the mosque in her capacity as Valide Sultan, two years after Mehmed III's ascension to the Ottoman throne in 1595, hence the original formal name "Valide Sultan Mosque". It was ordered by Sultana Safiye, who was the wife of Sultan Murad III and later Valide Sultan (Queen Mother) of Sultan Mehmed III.
The construction of the mosque began in 1597. It is situated on the Golden Horn, at the southern end of the Galata Bridge, and is one of the famous architectural landmarks of Istanbul.ġ.2 New Valide Sultan Mosque (New Mosque)Ī late 19th century photo of the Galata Bridge in Istanbul, with the Yeni Cami (New Mosque) seen in the background. The Yeni Cami (pronounced Yeni jami), meaning New Mosque originally named the Valide Sultan Mosque (Turkish: Valide Sultan Camii) and later New Valide Sultan Mosque (Turkish: Yeni Valide Sultan Camii) after its partial reconstruction and completion between 16 is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul, Turkey. Geographic coordinates 41☁′1.25″N 28★8′17.3″EĪrchitect(s) Davut Ağa, Dalgıç Ahmed Çavuş, Mustafa AğaĮlevation and plan published by Cornelius Gurlitt in 1912 The New Mosque (Yeni Cami) in Eminönü, Istanbul ‹ The template Infobox religious building is being considered for merging. For the new mosque under construction in Çamlıca Hill, Istanbul, see Çamlıca Hill. For the New Mosque in Bitola, see Jeni Mosque. For the New Mosque in Thessaloniki, see New Mosque (Thessaloniki).įor the "New Valide Mosque" (Yeni Valide Camii) in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul, see Yeni Valide Mosque.