Nusretiye Mosque

In the course of the repair work commissioned by Mahmud II (1808-1839) on Tophane-i Âmire after it was partly destroyed in the 1823 Firuzağa Fire, Nusretiye Mosque was built to replace the former mosque of the Barracks of the Cannon Carriage Drivers. The construction of the mosque is completed in 1826. Symbolizing the transition from the Baroque to the Empire style as part of the Westernization period in Ottoman architecture, the mosque is designed by architect Krikor Amira Balyan (d. 1831). In the manner of Sultan Mahmud’s arrival during the inauguration ceremony of the mosque, the sultans often reached the mosque by way of sea on the imperial caique. Hence, the imperial lodge (hünkâr mahfili) opens out to the sea side and the imperial kiosk, which is connected to the lodge is occupying the entrance (north) façade of the structure. As seen in a number of late-Ottoman mosques, the dome, which covers the square-planned prayer hall, is supported by four large arches set on pilasters located in the corners. Commonly known as “Tophane Mosque”, the given name of the mosque, “Nusretiye” (nusret = victory) alludes to the victory of Mahmud II against the conservative front that represented the Janissary Corps.