4.8 ·
Seek out Fenari Isa Mosque, a lesser-known Istanbul landmark born from two Byzantine churches. Spend twenty minutes tracing its Byzantine monastery origins and Ottoman conversion in a quiet, uncrowded corner.
Full description
Fenari Isa Mosque, also called Molla Fenari Mosque, is made of two adjoining churches built in different periods, once part of the Byzantine Lips Monastery. The south church was turned into a small mosque around 1497 to 1498 during the reign of Bayezid II, and a minaret was added.
Reviewers focus on this layered history rather than on crowds, since few visitors seem to find their way here. It is a short, free stop of about twenty minutes that rewards anyone interested in how Byzantine buildings were reused in Ottoman Istanbul.
Expect a quiet, off-the-main-route visit.
Fenari Isa Mosque, also called Molla Fenari Mosque, is made of two adjoining churches built in different periods, once part of the Byzantine Lips Monastery. The south church was turned into a small mosque around 1497 to 1498 during the reign of Bayezid II, and a minaret was added.
Reviewers focus on this layered history rather than on crowds, since few visitors seem to find their way here. It is a short, free stop of about twenty minutes that rewards anyone interested in how Byzantine buildings were reused in Ottoman Istanbul.
Expect a quiet, off-the-main-route visit.
Address
Hours
Booking
Duration
20 min
Best time
early morning, morning, afternoon or early evening
Intensity
Easy pace
Good to know
Reviews
During the Byzantine era, this place was known as the Lips Monastery. Shortly after the Fall of Constantinople and during the reign of Sultan Beyazid II (1481–1512), the church was converted into a mosque.
Ahmed Al-Akki
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