Fatih: the Conqueror's mosque and the Wednesday market

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Vezneciler metro (M2)

   The M2 stop one south of Şehzadebaşı, the entry point for the Fatih spine. Walk west on Macar Kardeşler Caddesi; the mosque is fifteen minutes uphill at a relaxed pace.

   01

   Vezneciler metro (M2)

   The M2 stop one south of Şehzadebaşı, the entry point for the Fatih spine. Walk west on Macar Kardeşler Caddesi; the mosque is fifteen minutes uphill at a relaxed pace.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Macar Kardeşler Caddesi

   The straight road from Şehzade to Fatih. Şehzade Camii sits at the start — it has its own walk via Vefa, so this is the spine you walk past. Notice the mahalle character intensify as you push west: more covered women, more religious bookshops, fewer tourists.

   02

   Macar Kardeşler Caddesi

   The straight road from Şehzade to Fatih. Şehzade Camii sits at the start — it has its own walk via Vefa, so this is the spine you walk past. Notice the mahalle character intensify as you push west: more covered women, more religious bookshops, fewer tourists.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   Fatih Camii courtyard and Mehmed II's türbe

   The Conqueror's türbe is here in the courtyard, with his consort Gülbahar Hatun in the adjoining tomb. Süleymaniye gets the architectural pilgrimage; Fatih is where the founder is actually buried. Quiet most weekdays; busy Friday lunch.

   03

   Fatih Camii courtyard and Mehmed II's türbe

   The Conqueror's türbe is here in the courtyard, with his consort Gülbahar Hatun in the adjoining tomb. Süleymaniye gets the architectural pilgrimage; Fatih is where the founder is actually buried. Quiet most weekdays; busy Friday lunch.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Fatih Camii interior

   The current mosque is the Mustafa III rebuild, completed in 1771 after the 1766 earthquake levelled Mehmed II's original. More austere than the first design, with a central dome and four half-domes in the classical Ottoman pattern. Slip your shoes off; women cover their hair.

   04

   Fatih Camii interior

   The current mosque is the Mustafa III rebuild, completed in 1771 after the 1766 earthquake levelled Mehmed II's original. More austere than the first design, with a central dome and four half-domes in the classical Ottoman pattern. Slip your shoes off; women cover their hair.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Çarşamba mahalle

   The streets north of the mosque. On Wednesdays this is the Çarşamba Pazarı — fabric stalls, halal meat, religious textiles, central Istanbul at its most religiously conservative. Other days the area is residential and quiet.

   05

   Çarşamba mahalle

   The streets north of the mosque. On Wednesdays this is the Çarşamba Pazarı — fabric stalls, halal meat, religious textiles, central Istanbul at its most religiously conservative. Other days the area is residential and quiet.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Yusufpaşa tram (T1)

   Walk down to Yusufpaşa for the T1. East takes you through Sultanahmet to Kabataş; west via Aksaray onward toward the Topkapı land gate and the Yedikule walk.

   06

   Yusufpaşa tram (T1)

   Walk down to Yusufpaşa for the T1. East takes you through Sultanahmet to Kabataş; west via Aksaray onward toward the Topkapı land gate and the Yedikule walk.

   ◉Street View