Kalenderhane Mosque
Changes After Its Construction:
- It was used as a Catholic church during the Latin occupation of Istanbul in the 13th century and contains fresco remains and an arch with Gothic inscriptions.
- After the conquest, it was allocated as a lodge to the Kalenderi dervishes by Mehmed the Conqueror.
- It was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans in the 18th century.
- It underwent extensive repairs after the fire of 1844.
- Between 1966 and 1975, extensive research and restoration was carried out in collaboration with the Dumbarton Oaks Institute of Byzantine Studies and Istanbul Technical University.
- A research book was published in 1999 and the mosque was reopened for worship after a long break.
- Prominent features of the mosque
- The name of the building built as a church is Theotokos Kyriotissa Church.
- The building, where Baroque and Byzantine architectural styles are seen together, has a dome structure sitting on four barrel vaulted cross arms in the shape of a closed Greek cross.
- It attracts attention with its original Byzantine frescoes, hand-carved embroidery and vaulted dome structure.
- The madrasah, which was added in the 18th century, was used as a lodge and tevhidhane during the Ottoman period.
- It is known as the first Mawlawi Lodge after the conquest.
