A late-Ottoman mosque in the historic centre of Afyonkarahisar, built in the 19th-century reign of Sultan Abdülmecid, from whom it takes its name. It stands among the old quarter's timber houses near the bazaar.
The Mecidiye Mosque stands in the old quarter of Afyonkarahisar a short distance from the Bedesten market, built in the 19th-century reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I (r. 1839–1861), from whom it takes its name. The mosque is a modest example of late-Ottoman religious architecture, built in the Baroque-inflected style that characterised many provincial mosques of the Tanzimat reform period. The exterior presents a single domed prayer hall with a slightly ornate entrance portal and a single slender pencil minaret. The interior is simply furnished, with a painted wooden ceiling and carved woodwork at the mimber (pulpit). Coloured glass windows filter the light and give the interior a warm, amber tone at certain times of day. The mosque sits within the fabric of the old timber-house streets and forms a coherent part of the Ottoman quarter streetscape alongside the Bedesten market and the earlier Ulu Camii. It is an active place of worship and visitors are welcome outside the five daily prayer times. The visit is brief — 20 to 30 minutes — and works naturally as part of a walking tour of the old quarter combining the Bedesten, Ulu Camii and the Mevlevihane Museum.
Good to know
- Hours
- Open daily outside the five prayer times
- Best time
- Mid-morning between prayer times
Location
Mecidiye Camii, Afyonkarahisar Merkez, Turkey
38.7560, 30.5340 View on map
Highlights
- Late-Ottoman Tanzimat-period mosque built under Sultan Abdülmecid I
- Painted wooden ceiling and carved wooden mimber typical of 19th-century provincial Ottoman craft
- Coloured glass windows casting warm light on the prayer hall interior
- Set within the fabric of the old Ottoman timber-house quarter near the Bedesten
Tips for visiting
- Visit outside the five daily prayer times — each prayer lasts about 20 minutes
- Remove shoes before entering and dress modestly
- Entry is free; naturally combined with Ulu Camii and the Bedesten on a single walking tour
- Mid-morning offers the most agreeable light through the coloured windows
When to visit
Mid-morning between prayer times on weekdays, when the mosque is quiet and the light through the coloured windows is at its best. Part of a walking tour of the old quarter alongside Ulu Camii and the Bedesten.
Accessibility
The mosque entrance is at near-ground level in the old quarter. The prayer hall floor is flat. Wheelchair accessibility may be limited by the entrance step and the narrow old-quarter lanes approaching the building.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee?
Entry is free for all visitors outside prayer times.
How long does a visit take?
The mosque is modest in size; 20 to 30 minutes is sufficient for a relaxed visit.
Is photography permitted inside?
Photography for personal use is generally accepted when the mosque is not in use for prayer; visitors should be discreet and avoid disturbing worshippers.