Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Camii

Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Camii is a large-scale mosque located in the Levent neighborhood of Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district, opened for worship in 2023. Named after Kaptan-ı Derya Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa, a prominent figure in Ottoman naval history, the mosque was constructed using modern building techniques inspired by classical Ottoman architecture.

Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Camii (ASL Construction)

Construction Process and Opening

The foundation stone was laid on 3 July 2020 in a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The construction was carried out under the leadership of the Levent Mosque Education Culture Services Implementation and Sustainability Association, with Hacı Mehmet Güner as the architect and ASL İnşaat as the main contractor. The mosque was officially opened on 12 May 2023 by President Erdoğan, with Ali Erbaş, President of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, delivering the sermon.

Architectural Features

Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Camii was designed with inspiration drawn from the Süleymaniye Camii, an early work of Mimar Sinan.

• Area and Capacity: Built on a site of 18,500 m², it features a prayer area of 7,000 m². Together with indoor and outdoor spaces, it can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers simultaneously.

• Dome and Minarets: The main dome has a diameter of 23–24 metres and a height of 44 metres. Two of its four minarets are 79 metres tall, while the other two reach 92 metres.

• Parking: The mosque includes a four-level parking facility with capacity for 900 vehicles.

• Additional Units: The complex houses a book café, library, multi-purpose halls, workshops, a cafeteria, a preschool for children aged 4–6, and a digital visual arts gallery.

Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Camii Dome Decorations (ASL Construction)

Art and Decorations

The interior and exterior decorations of the mosque are themed around maritime heritage.

• Dome and Ornamentation: The calligraphy on the main dome is arranged in the shape of a ship’s rudder, with a 16-pointed compass star placed at its center. The inscriptions were crafted by calligrapher Ferhat Kurlu, while the gilding and ornamental details were executed by Mustafa Çelebi.

• Ceramics and Miniatures:
• • A 600 m² ceramic area was created using the works of Mehmet Gürsoy, recognized by UNESCO as a Living Human Treasure.
  • Miniature artist Zehra Akdeniz designed 11 panels depicting the life and voyages of Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa. A monumental ceramic panel titled “The Path of Hızır” has been installed in the mosque courtyard.

• Rugs and Chandelier: Rugs with maritime motifs were custom-woven in Manisa. The main chandelier is designed in the shape of waves and features 99 lanterns, referencing the 99 Names of Allah (Esmaü’l Hüsna).

• Woodwork: The stairs and railings inside the mosque are crafted from oak wood and decorated with Ottoman motifs.

Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Camii Ceramic Panel (Anadolu Agency)

Acoustic and Technological Features

The mosque’s acoustics were inspired by the methods employed by Mimar Sinan in the Süleymaniye Camii. Two hundred and forty-two openings in the dome’s interior were precisely engineered using acoustic technology. Additionally, nanotechnology was applied throughout the structure to enhance durability and aesthetic quality.

Maritime and Thematic Elements

The mosque was designed to reflect the maritime legacy of Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa, after whom it is named:

• Gull motifs adorn the minaret caps, and sailing ships appear in the stained-glass windows.
• The mihrab stands 13 metres tall and features the 149th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah inscribed on its surface.
• The ceramic decorations of the mihrab are recorded as the first such work produced in the history of the Republic of Türkiye.

Cultural and Religious Function

Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Camii is designed not only as a place of worship but also as a külliye that supports cultural and social activities. At the opening ceremony, President Erdoğan emphasized that the mosque addresses a significant need in Beşiktaş and its surroundings, and highlighted that the project aims to preserve the memory of Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa.