Istanbul: Mihrimah Sultan Cami

The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, located in Üsküdar on the Asian side of Istanbul, carries with it not only architectural beauty but also a touching story from the Ottoman period.

Built in 1548, the mosque was commissioned by Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan. Mihrimah was a highly influential princess, known for her intelligence, beauty, and her close relationship with her father. The mosque was designed by the famous architect Mimar Sinan.

The name "Mihrimah" itself is symbolic, meaning "Sun and Moon" in Persian, and this celestial connection is said to have inspired the design of her two mosques: one in Üsküdar and another in Edirnekapı on the European side of Istanbul. According to legend, on Mihrimah Sultan's birthday, March 21 (the spring equinox), something remarkable happens. If one stands in a place where both mosques are visible, they can witness the sun setting behind the Edirnekapı mosque while the moon rises over the Üsküdar mosque.

The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in Üsküdar is smaller and simpler compared to her other mosque but has a serene beauty, reflecting the calm and grace associated with the princess.