Büyük Mecidiye Camii

Istanbul, Türkiye

Ortaköy Mosque is situated at the waters edge of the Ortaköy Pier square. Built by Sultan Abdülmecid its architect was Grabed Balyan, assisted by his son, Nikogos Balyan. The date of construction of the mosque is under debate; some scholars argue it was built between 1853 and 1854, others not until 1864. Designed in a Neo-Baroque style, its wide, high windows let the ever-changing light reflections of the Bosphorus shine into the interior of the mosque. In 2014 a major renovation project was underway.