Yeni Cami (New Mosque)

The Yeni Cami (Yeni Valide Mosque, "New Mosque") was commissioned by Safiye Sultan, the valide sultan of Murad III, in 1597 and finally completed in 1665 — 66 years later, by which time the original patron had been dead for 50 years. The construction was held up first by revolt (the Janissaries, paid for by the original donor, rebelled against being moved from their barracks), then by an earthquake, then by the death of the patron, then by a series of architect changes.

Despite the long birth, the result is one of Istanbul's finest waterfront silhouettes. The mosque sits on the Eminönü waterfront at the southern end of the Galata Bridge, its domes and minarets reflected in the Golden Horn. Inside, the mother-of-pearl windows on the qibla wall are the most-photographed detail, especially as they catch the sunset light. The interior İznik tiles are also exceptional, slightly later in style than the Süleymaniye-era tiles.

The mosque is a working mosque; the women's gallery upstairs (where women worship) is open to visitors at non-prayer times. The royal pavilion (hünkar mahfili) on the right side has its own ornate entrance, accessed by the sultan directly from the palace.

Free entry. Closed for ~30 minutes during each of the five daily prayers. Combine with a visit to the Spice Bazaar (which was the mosque's commercial foundation) and a walk across the Galata Bridge.