The Haci Bayram Mosque is an architectural wonder from the 15th century with several remarkable features. Today, it is one of the most respected religious sites in the city. Visit the spiritual centre to see the ornamental wood ceiling, elegant water features and floral arrangements. Beside the mosque, you will find a Roman temple, a park and a spacious plaza where you can purchase memorabilia.
The mosque takes its name from a Turkish poet from the 1300s who composed many religious hymns. Join other travellers visiting the mosque to see his tomb and learn about the mystical Islamic concept of Sufism, which Haci Bayram strongly supported.
Although it was initially founded in the 1400s, the mosque displays many characteristics typical of 17th-century architecture. It has been entirely renovated and rebuilt several times over the years. See its stained-glass windows, Kütahya tiles and paintings on wooden walls.
Make your way to the mausoleum in the southwest corner of the building, where you will find the tomb of Haci Bayram. This fine example of a mausoleum from the 1400s features an extensive use of stone and marble.
Enter the main hall of the mosque and gaze up at the impressive wooden ceiling. Appreciate the serene ambiance in this spacious place of worship. Relish the joyous atmosphere among flowers and water fountains.
Visit the adjacent Temple of Augustus and Rome, which a Roman emperor built about 20 B.C. Outside the mosque, step onto the plaza where vendors sell religious items and memorabilia. Enter the quaint shops to look at some of the intriguing relics on sale. Nearby is a small tree-filled park where you can relax with a picnic as you contemplate your trip to the mosque.
The Haci Bayram Mosque is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) north of the city centre. Take a bus or the metro to Ulus, which is several minutes away on foot. The mosque is very near Gençlik Park and the Ethnography Museum.
