Edirne: The Old Mosque (The Grand Mosque)

In the previous post, we talked about Selimiye Mosque, one of the landmarks of Edirne. In this post, I would like to introduce you to another architectural work located right across Selimiye: The Old Mosque or also known as the Grand Mosque...

I don't know how the situation is in other countries; but there are too many mosques with the same name in Turkey. "The Old Mosque" is one of them and of course I can say the same for "the Grand Mosque". Even on this blog, there are two mosques with the same name:

1. Selimiye Mosque in Edirne,

2. Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia.

Selimiye comes from the name Selim. Süleymaniye (Sulaymaniyah) is another example. They take their names from the sultans of the period. Old, grand and similar names are much more common. For example, if a mosque is older than its surroundings, it is most likely called "old".

The construction of the Old Mosque began in 1402-03 and was completed in 1414. Since then some maintenance has been done and it is still in use. According to a rumor, Haji Bayram Veli, one of the famous names of Islam, visited this mosque and the preaching chair is still not used by imams out of respect for his memory. There is also a stone brought from the Kaaba that especially Muslim visitors want to see inside of the mosque. Since two Ottoman sultans were wearing swords in this mosque, imams come out with swords for Friday prayer. The most striking details inside the mosque are the calligraphy, and there are various examples even on its outer walls.