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Dick Osseman | all galleries >> Istanbul >> Regions - Bölgeler >> East of Atatürk Blv >> Regional Mosques >> Nuruosmaniye mosque > Nuruosmaniye Kulliye shops
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07-DEC-2004

Nuruosmaniye Kulliye shops

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The Nurosmaniye mosque was built by a Greek architect, Simon, who in the opinion of Strolling Through Istanbul (Redhouse, 1989) produced "a failure, but a charming one". I fell for its spell ages ago, not the least because crossing its awkwardly formed "court" from the Covered Market side to the exit at the other side provides a short moment of rest in the busy city. If you want some more rest, the mosque is spacious and quiet. The mosque was begun by Sultan Mahmut I in 1748 and finished by his brother and successor, Osman III in 1755. Nur is "sacred light", so "Osman's Sacred Light". Strangely I always find it a bit dark inside.

These shops may, with their rent, still provide for the upkeep of the mosque. At any rate, that used to be the system in earlier days (now it's probably done with taxes and subsidies).

Nikon D70
1/250s f/8.0 at 22.0mm full exif

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