Laleli Mosque

The Mosque of Laleli(tulip mosque) is located on the European side of Istanbul in Eminonu, district of Laleli where the streets of Ordu and Fethi Bey intersect.It is neighbour of Aksaray,which is in Fatih district. The mosque is constructed by Soltan Mehmed the Third between 1760 -1763. It is assumed that the either Mehmed Tahir Aga or Haci Ahmed Aga is the architect of the mosque.

The construction is combination of mosque, madrasah, school,almshouse and publichouse. The mosque is the center of the construction which has a courtyard with a basement. With this basement the courtyard is higher than the ground level.The connection is allowed with steps to the courtyard. The mosque is seen at the center of this high courtyard ; with a grandeur dome with 24 windows and 2 minarets whic has different cones than other minarets. The mosque is enlighted with 105 windows and the interial walls are covered with coloured porphyry marbles. The mosque was constructed with baroque style.The tombs and the fountain are located at the western corner. The wellknown ones are the tombs of Soltan Mehmed the Third and Soltan Selim the Third..The public house is located at the northern part and is stil used as Bazaar. The basement of the mosque is being used as bazaar at the present even though it was not aimed to be when built.The madrasah of the mosque is unfortunately ruined until present time.

Source: http://www.istanbul.net.tr