From Christian queens to Ottoman tulips, a sacred space layered with legacy
From Virgin Mary to Victory: A Christian Foundation
Hidden in the quiet streets of Çarşamba, in Istanbul’s Fatih district, stands a structure that has been many things: a Byzantine women’s monastery, a Greek Orthodox cathedral, and now, a mosque. Known today as Fethiye Mosque, it began its life as the Pammakaristos Monastery, one of the most historically rich Christian buildings in the city.
Originally built to commemorate the Byzantine conquest of Georgia and Azerbaijan, the monastery served as a convent and spiritual haven for women, an often-overlooked yet crucial aspect of Istanbul’s religious history. The building’s dedication to the Virgin Mary reflected the city’s central role in early Christianity, a period when Constantinople was often referred to as the “City of the Theotokos.”
Echoes of Two Faiths in One Space
Under Sultan Murat III, the Pammakaristos Monastery was converted into the Fethiye Mosque, its name derived from “fetih,” meaning conquest. Yet rather than erase its past, the Ottomans added a mihrab and adapted it respectfully, as seen with Hagia Sophia’s mosaics. The building retained much of its original architectural and artistic elements, exemplifying the Ottoman tendency to integrate rather than destroy.
Inside, the contrast is visible yet harmonious: Christian mosaics glow beneath Islamic arches, and the structure continues to serve as both a place of worship and a place for reflection.

Dome view of the Fethiye Mosque (Photo by fusion-of-horizons, CC BY 2.0)
A Survivor of Siege and Crusade
In 1204, the Fourth Crusade devastated Constantinople. Churches were looted, mosaics torn down, and relics stolen, many now on display in Venice. An estimated 400,000 people were enslaved, leaving a cultural and demographic scar still felt today. Fethiye Mosque stands as a quiet survivor of this era, a testament to both destruction and resilience, precisely because it endured the devastation of the Fourth Crusade, the shifting tides of empire, and religious transformation, yet remained unerased. Instead, it was restored, reimagined, and respectfully adapted, allowing its walls to preserve the layered memory of Istanbul’s spiritual and architectural legacy.
Following the Ottoman conquest, Fatih Sultan Mehmet adopted a multicultural policy. He reestablished the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, welcomed Armenians, and legitimized Jewish leadership. His frequent visits to Patriarch Gennadios and engagement with Christian theology revealed a ruler who understood the power of both inclusion and dialogue.

A view of the central dome of the parekklesion, with Christ Pantocrator surrounded by Old Testament prophets (Photo by G. Dall’Orto, CC BY-SA 2.5).
Architectural and Educational Legacy
The Fethiye Mosque features a distinct Byzantine design, characterized by high domes built into sloped terrain, functioning cisterns beneath the floor, and a courtyard that once housed early tulip gardens. This botanical tradition evolved into an integral part of Ottoman culture..
Next to the mosque is a madrasa built by Mimar Sinan, commissioned under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. This continued the site’s educational legacy, evolving from a Christian women's vocational center to part of the Ottoman Sahn-i Seman system. It even hosted the first imam-hatip school, making it a rare spiritual-educational continuum that bridged two civilizations.

Interior of Fethiye Mosque — original photo by Dosseman, edited version (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Neighborhood Ties: Çarşamba, Draman, and Balat
The mosque’s surrounding neighborhoods also reflect Istanbul’s layered identity.
Çarşamba was settled by Christian Turks from Karaman, blending Turkic and Byzantine traditions.
Draman housed dragomans (interpreters) and later became home to Macedonian Muslim immigrants.
Balat houses the Fener Ecumenical Orthodox Church, with the Greek Orthodox School (known as the Red school due to the red bricks of the building)
These areas symbolize the cultural and ethnic mosaics that have always defined the city.
A Structure of Spiritual Convergence
Fethiye Mosque is not just a religious site—it’s a palimpsest of empire, theology, and politics. From early Christian mysticism to Latin invasion, Orthodox revival, and Ottoman transformation, it embodies centuries of Istanbul’s sacred contradictions.
Its history even echoes in numbers:
400,000 enslaved during the Crusades
7 daily prayers in Syriac Christianity, mirroring Islamic rhythm
Tulip motifs connecting faith, aesthetics, and nature
Today, the Fethiye Mosque remains a quiet but powerful symbol—a building where East meets West, not in conflict, but in shared memory.
Plan Your Visit
Location | Balat, Draman Cd. 34087 Fatih/İstanbul |
Public Transport | Take T5 tram from Eminönü station, get off at Fener station, five-minutes walking distance |
Opening Hours | Under restoration, temporarily closed |
Dress Code | Modest clothing required; scarves available at the entrance |
Admission | Free of charge |