Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque

Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque is located in Fatih district of Istanbul, directly opposite of the Aksaray Square. The religious building, which immediately shows itself with its different architecture, was built by two architects named Harkop and Sarkis Balyan by Pertevniyal Valide Sultan, who is the mother of the Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz. The Armenian architects who were among the prominent figures of the period, have also designed some Ottoman castles near the Bosporus shore.

The mosque is defined as an interesting intersection of the Turkish style with the Maghreb architecture that developed in Spain and North Africa. It also sets an example for the harmony of the gothic, empire and Renaissance styles and the rococo which was born in France and had important effects on the Ottoman Empire with these two styles.

The mosque with two minarets is covered by a small but high dome. Both its exterior and interior are full of ornaments. It attracts attention with its stenciled ornaments, gold gilding and its eye-catching courtyard door overlooking Aksaray Square. We know that the mosque was completed in 1871.

Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque, which has a messy look overall according to most authorities, still stands out with its different style and interesting details. It is an indispensable value in terms of Aksaray's silhouette.