Ortaköy Mosque (Turkish: Ortaköy Camii) officially the Büyük Mecidiye Camii (Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdülmecid) in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, is situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, one of the most popular locations on the Bosphorus. This structure is symbolic of the district of Ortaköy as it has a distinctive view of the Bosphorus Strait of Istanbul and the Bosphorus Bridge. The mosque can be viewed from the Bosphorus Cruise that is famous among tourists, to go from the Asian side of Istanbul to the European side on a ferry boat.
Located on the site of the present-day Ortaköy Mosque, there previously was a small masjid. Built in 1720, it was ruined during the Patrona Halil Uprising in 1731.The current mosque, which was erected in its place, was ordered by the Ottoman sultan Abdülmecid and built between 1854 and 1856, on the ruins of the Cantemir Palace. Its architects were Armenian father and son Garabet Amira Balyan and Nigoğayos Balyan (who also designed the nearby Dolmabahçe Palace and the Dolmabahçe Mosque), who designed it in the Neo-Baroque style.
The single dome of the mosque was originally built using bricks. However, the dome developed cracks throughout time and was ready to collapse, so a new dome was reconstructed using concrete. In 1894, there was an earthquake that damaged the mosque, and it also suffered a minor fire in 1984. Thus, the structure has undergone a number of repair and restoration work in its time. Today, it is in fair shape.
Being here at the reconstruction of this vault of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, which is being rebuilt and in a great Museum in Istanbul Turkey, being here makes me remember a little bit of where I come from and my roots that I will never, ever forget or leave behind moves me so much. To be able to be here and know such a memorable museum.
After knowing this great story I kept getting more stories about my roots, for which I thanked you, for millions of things. Yesterday I was in one of my yoga classes where we were touched. The gratitude made me remember so much in this moment, where I teleported. If my mind and body traveled in type to this great place.
I also thanked Aya who takes care of me and protects me daily, from millions of things. Every day I am glad to be in this sanctuary where I fill my energy with positive, as I was in negative during some moments of this journey through Istanbul which I will never forget. It is the safest thing but after this I left with a great blessing, but above all millenary protection.
Photos taken with the phone