The Grand Çamlıca Mosque stands as a contemporary wonder, seamlessly integrating traditional elements with modern innovation to offer a distinctive cultural experience through its iconic design and sweeping views, drawing those in search of both spiritual peace and cultural insight. 
Distinguished by its stunning architecture, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque represents Türkiye's most modern mosque complex. More than just a vast place of worship, it incorporates an art gallery, a library, conference facilities, art workshops, and the Museum of Islamic Civilizations, establishing a link with the heritage of Seljuk mosques from the moment one enters. Situated on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, it forms a crucial part of the city's skyline, merging Ottoman-Seljuk architectural styles with contemporary influences.
Since its inauguration five years ago, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque has become an essential feature of Istanbul's silhouette, positioned atop Çamlıca Hill. Its aesthetic and imposing structure captivates onlookers. Notably, its pinnacle is divided into three sections and employs nanotechnology, marking it as the world's largest. The mosque also features one of the globe's most massive worship doors, which stands 5 meters wide, 6.5 meters tall, and weighs 6 tons.
The mosque is renowned for its superb acoustics, state-of-the-art sound systems, lighting, heating, ventilation, and security features. Ergin Külünk, president of the Çamlıca Mosque and Education Culture Services Association, emphasized, "This isn't just a mosque." The project was first publicized in 2012 by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, envisioning a grand mosque on Çamlıca. Külünk outlined the mosque's development, from architectural design competitions to its grand opening on May 3, 2019, attended by President Erdoğan, guests from various Islamic nations, and local citizens after 60 months of construction.
The mosque accommodates 25,000 people indoors and about 65,000 in total within its inner and outer courtyards for congregational prayers. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, it saw 10-15,000 worshippers following social distancing guidelines. Initial criticisms have subsided as the mosque proved its worth, particularly in 2019, when 70,000 people attended the Fajr prayer, demonstrating its role beyond a local mosque and as a pivotal Friday mosque. Following the president's directive, a complex was created that houses a museum, conference hall, art gallery, library, and art workshops, blending traditional and modern attributes into a multifaceted cultural hub.
Külünk also reflected on the mosque's impact on Istanbul's skyline, noting how it enhances views from both the Anatolian and European sides of the city. The mosque has grown into a harmonious part of its environment, frequently described as a timeless addition to Istanbul. It attracts roughly 100,000 visitors weekly and about 5 million annually. The upcoming completion of the Altunizade-Bosna Boulevard Metro Line is expected to further increase visitor numbers.
The Museum of Islamic Civilizations, another integral part of the mosque complex, opened on April 8, 2022. It occupies a space of 10,000 square meters and houses over 600 artifacts that trace the evolution of Islamic art from the seventh to the 19th centuries. Curated across 15 thematic sections enhanced by digital applications, the museum's collection includes rare items such as the Mahmel-i Şerif from the Surre-i Hümayun procession, Hilye-i Şerif manuscripts, and other valuable artifacts. Since its opening, the museum has welcomed over 1.7 million visitors, becoming one of the most visited museums alongside the Topkapı and Dolmabahçe palaces.
Distinguished by its stunning architecture, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque represents Türkiye's most modern mosque complex. More than just a vast place of worship, it incorporates an art gallery, a library, conference facilities, art workshops, and the Museum of Islamic Civilizations, establishing a link with the heritage of Seljuk mosques from the moment one enters. Situated on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, it forms a crucial part of the city's skyline, merging Ottoman-Seljuk architectural styles with contemporary influences.
Since its inauguration five years ago, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque has become an essential feature of Istanbul's silhouette, positioned atop Çamlıca Hill. Its aesthetic and imposing structure captivates onlookers. Notably, its pinnacle is divided into three sections and employs nanotechnology, marking it as the world's largest. The mosque also features one of the globe's most massive worship doors, which stands 5 meters wide, 6.5 meters tall, and weighs 6 tons.
The mosque is renowned for its superb acoustics, state-of-the-art sound systems, lighting, heating, ventilation, and security features. Ergin Külünk, president of the Çamlıca Mosque and Education Culture Services Association, emphasized, "This isn't just a mosque." The project was first publicized in 2012 by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, envisioning a grand mosque on Çamlıca. Külünk outlined the mosque's development, from architectural design competitions to its grand opening on May 3, 2019, attended by President Erdoğan, guests from various Islamic nations, and local citizens after 60 months of construction.
The mosque accommodates 25,000 people indoors and about 65,000 in total within its inner and outer courtyards for congregational prayers. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, it saw 10-15,000 worshippers following social distancing guidelines. Initial criticisms have subsided as the mosque proved its worth, particularly in 2019, when 70,000 people attended the Fajr prayer, demonstrating its role beyond a local mosque and as a pivotal Friday mosque. Following the president's directive, a complex was created that houses a museum, conference hall, art gallery, library, and art workshops, blending traditional and modern attributes into a multifaceted cultural hub.
Külünk also reflected on the mosque's impact on Istanbul's skyline, noting how it enhances views from both the Anatolian and European sides of the city. The mosque has grown into a harmonious part of its environment, frequently described as a timeless addition to Istanbul. It attracts roughly 100,000 visitors weekly and about 5 million annually. The upcoming completion of the Altunizade-Bosna Boulevard Metro Line is expected to further increase visitor numbers.
The Museum of Islamic Civilizations, another integral part of the mosque complex, opened on April 8, 2022. It occupies a space of 10,000 square meters and houses over 600 artifacts that trace the evolution of Islamic art from the seventh to the 19th centuries. Curated across 15 thematic sections enhanced by digital applications, the museum's collection includes rare items such as the Mahmel-i Şerif from the Surre-i Hümayun procession, Hilye-i Şerif manuscripts, and other valuable artifacts. Since its opening, the museum has welcomed over 1.7 million visitors, becoming one of the most visited museums alongside the Topkapı and Dolmabahçe palaces.