Historical Arab Mosque (Galata)

History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore The Historical Arap Mosque is the most unique place of worship in the city, with its surprising and fascinating history dating back centuries before the conquest of Istanbul. The building, which is said to have been first built by the Umayyad commander Maslama bin Abdülmelik during the second Arab siege of Istanbul in 717 AD, was expanded by Dominican priests during the Genoese period after the siege was lifted and turned into the Church of San Paolo and San Domenico. Immediately after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, it was converted from a church into a mosque by Fatih Sultan Mehmed Khan and became one of the first mosques of the conquest. It gained its real historical identity in 1492 when it was allocated to Andalusian Muslims (Moriscos) who escaped from the persecution of the Inquisition in Spain and took refuge in the Ottoman Empire and settled in the Galata district, and from that date onwards it was known as the 'Arab Mosque'. It is a living cultural heritage where Eastern and Western civilizations intersect, with its Gothic style pointed-roofed square bell tower being transformed into a minaret, its wooden ceiling and the traces of Genoese tombstones inside. According to legend, the graves of Umayyad veterans are located in the cellars under the mihrab of the mosque, and it is believed that the prayers performed in this place carry the good news of the conquest. Geographical Structure, Altitude and Natural Features It is located in the historical port area of Galata, at an altitude of approximately 15 meters, between the narrow historical streets behind the Thursday Market and Tersane Street. It has a peaceful oasis courtyard surrounded by stone walls and vines. Visiting Hours, Days and Entrance Fees