Asian Mosques

Continuing our Ottoman theme in week 2, we set off for the Asian side of Istanbul.  First a ferry ride over to the Asia side.  Our first stop was the Harbor mosque, a much different scale than the Suleymaniye the day before.

It was fun taking pictures of the area we are staying...a different perspective.

 

The Harbor Mosque, Semsi Ahmed Pasa Camii. 

Right by the harbor at the Harbor Mosque

 

Our second mosque of the day (sorry Matthew, I can't remember the name!) had a school attached to it.  Here are some young students with their teacher. 

 

Much different interior than the mosques we visited yesterday.

 

The last Asian mosque that we visited, the Buyuk Selimiye Camii, was built in the early 1800s.  The architecture (particularly the columns and archways) show a changing style to the architecture and a bit less grandeur for an empire losing some prestige by the 1800s. 

 

 

 

 

"There is a belief that people in Istanbul practice religion.  Actually, they practice soccer." 

 Emre Sunu, assistant director, Istanbul, Crossroad between the East and West

 

Some of our NEH scholars playing soccer with the boys outside the mosque.  A little cultural exchange!