1. Selimiye Mosque
Considered his masterpiece, Mimar Sinan’s Selimiye Mosque was erected in the name of Sultan Selim II in the 16th century, The Selimiye Mosque, with its technical perfection, dimensions and aesthetic values, is considered as one of the greatest works of back then and the following periods. Labeled as his masterpiece by Mimar Sinan, the Selimiye Mosque was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011.
2. Grand Synagogue of Edirne
This religious center in Edirne was constructed by the French architect France Depre in 1906 to replace 14 former synagogues that had been reduced to ashes in the great fire of 1905. The Grand Synagogue of Edirne opened for religious service in 1907 with the name “Kal Kados ha Gadol”. As the largest synagogue in the Balkan region and the third-largest in Europe, it was in active use until the 1960s.
3. Ahrida Synagogue
This religious center in Istanbul is in the Balat district. Its construction began in the 15th century. The Ahrida Synagogue got its name from current day Ohrid in North Macedonia as it was the hometown of the builders who migrated to Istanbul. The synagogue’s “teva” (torah reading pulpit) resembles the prow of a ship. According to one legend, it was designed to evoke Noah’s Ark; according to another, it symbolizes the galleys that brought the Sephardic Jews to the Ottoman Empire from Spain.
4. Sveti Stefan Church
Subsidiary of the Bulgarian Exarchate. This religious center in İstanbul is the world’s only preserved iron church. Cast iron framework of the church was prepared in Vienna and brought to İstanbul via the Danube River and Black Sea in 1892. It was erected by Armenian architect Hovsep Aznavour.
5. Büyükada Hagia Yorgi Church
The Hagia Yorgi Church in Büyükada, Istanbul, also known as “the church that grants wishes,” is a religious center located on Yüce Tepe (204 meters high), one of the higher spots on Büyükada. The Hagia Yorgi Church (also referred to as Agios Georgios Greek Orthodox Monastery) was built in 1751. It is mainly visited on the dates of April 23rd and September 24th by people from various beliefs.
6. Neve Shalom Synagogue
Opened on March 25th, 1951, 10.30 AM with a ceremony held by the leader of the congregation Rav Rafael Saban, Neve Shalom Synagogue has a dome that carries an immensely heavy chandelier and glasses that were imported from England. This religious center is in the Galata district of İstanbul.
7. Blue Mosque
Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed and built by Sedefkar Mehmed Ağa between 1609 and 1617, this religious center in Istanbul was called the “Blue Mosque” by Europeans enthralled with its green and white İznik tiles and predominately blue-colored ornamentation. Blending traditional Islamic architecture with the Byzantine influences borrowed from the adjacent Hagia Sophia, it is the largest of the late classical era mosques and a sacred place in Türkiye that you must visit.
8. Hagia Sophia Mosque
The renowned Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul, is among the world’s most important structures and renowned among the sacred sites of Türkiye Built in 537, it was the largest cathedral in the Eastern Roman Empire. It was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and, in 1935, was designated a museum by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Resuming its function as a mosque in 2020, The Hagia Sophia continues to enthrall visitors of every age with its centuries-old history.
9. The Patriarchal Cathedral Church of St. George
The Church of St. George, a religious center in Fener, Istanbul, is the principal Eastern Orthodox cathedral. It was constructed by Saint Andrea, an apostle of Christ, in the 4th century. The Church of St. George has gained a special place in the Orthodox world by having been set in the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and as the principal cathedral among the Orthodox churches.
10. Süleymaniye Mosque
Constructed by Mimar Sinan between 1551 and 1557, the Süleymaniye Mosque survived more than a hundred earthquakes without sustaining any damage. Still a prominent religious center in Istanbul and one of the city’s most magnificent examples of classical Ottoman architecture, its four minarets represent the position of Suleiman the Magnificent as the fourth Sultan of the Empire following the conquest of Constantinople; its 10 balconies represent this place as the 10th Sultan of the empire.
11. İznik Hagia Sophia Mosque
One of the important temples in world history and considered a sacred place in Türkiye by many, the Hagia Sophia was erected by the Byzantines as a basilica over the Gymnasium built by the Romans in the 7th century. It was renovated after the earthquake in the 11th century. After the conquest of İznik by Orhan Gazi in 1331, the basilica was converted to a mosque; during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, it was renovated again by Mimar Sinan.
12. Grand Mosque of Bursa
Constructed between the years 1396 and 1400 during the reign of Yıldırım Bayezid, the Grand Mosque is the first monumental multi-domed structure among the Ottoman mosques. This religious center in Bursa has a sixteen-sided pond with a fountain in the middle and three basins circling it. The Grand Mosque is regarded as the fifth highest degree mosque in Islam.
13. Thyateira Church
One of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation – and therefore one of the first seven churches of Christianity – Thyateira Church was erected in Manisa (formerly Thyateira) in the 3rd century. As a religious center connecting two of the important cities of ancient times, Pergamon and Sardis, Thyateira Church became a point of interest and a sacred site in Türkiye for Christians from all over the world.
14. St. Jean Church
The St. Jean Church was erected in the 7th century. This religious center in Manisa, with the height and diameter of its columns and the grace with which they support the arch, is among the most important works of the Byzantine era. One of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation, it is also known as the Philadelphia Church.
15. Ancient City of Sardis
Established during the Iron Age in 1300 BC as the capital of Kingdom of Lydia, the Ancient City of Sardis is the birthplace of the coin as we know it today. Home to one of the seven churches in Western Anatolia that was essential in the expansion of Christianity towards the west, Sardis was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2013. The Ancient City is believed by some to be among the sacred sites of Türkiye.
16. House of Virgin Mary
Considered by many to be a sacred place in Türkiye , the House of the Virgin Mary is on Mount Koressos in the Ancient City of Ephesus, which is near İzmir. A sanctuary for both Catholics and Muslims, the House was discovered in the 19th century. Its discovery is attributed to Anne Catherine Emmerich, a Catholic nun, who had visions about the House; after her death, these visions were described and published as a book.
17. Ancient City of Laodicea
Located six kilometers north of Denizli, the Hellenistic Ancient City of Laodicea was built in the 3rd century BC in the name of Laodicea, the wife of the Seleucid king Antiochus II. The city became a seat of Christianity and a bishopric around the 4th and 5th centuries and was recognized as a holy pilgrimage site and is considered by many to be a sacred place in Türkiye . It has great importance for the Christian world.
18. St. Nicholas Church
More commonly known as the Church of Santa Claus, St. Nicholas Church with its architectural style and ornamentations, was fully constructed by the 11th century. This former religious center in Türkiye is one of the most outstanding surviving examples of middle Byzantine period architecture.
19. Ancient City of Pisidia
Set in Isparta where the Mediterranean, Aegean and Central Anatolian regions intersect in the ‘Lake District’, the city sits upon a 1236-meter-high hill. It was built during the Seleucid dynasty in the 3rd century BC. Since Saint Paul visited the city and spoke of Christianity, it is recognized as a holy pilgrimage site and is still visited by Orthodox Christians every year as a sacred place in Türkiye . There are numerous other holy places and ancient cities to explore along the St. Paulus Trail: The first part of the trail starts at Perge and passes Kursunlu Waterfall, ending at the ancient city of Sutculer Island. The second stage runs from Aspendos, the Koprulu Canyon, Selge, Kerime and Kasımlar, merging with the first trail at Adada, and extending from Davras and Eğirdir Barla Mountain to Yalvaç. Remember to use the ancient paths during the walk.
20. Mevlana Museum
The construction of the mausoleum, considered by many to be a sacred place in Türkiye , started in 1273 after the death of Mevlana (Rumi). The mausoleum sits on four elephant-foot columns and is a Seljuk masterpiece. The museum grounds cover 6500 square meters but, with the addition of new areas arranged as rose gardens, it now covers 18000 square meters in total. It is still a prominent religious center in Türkiye.
21. St. Paul Monument Museum
Constructed in 1856 and converted to a monument museum in 2001, the church is the largest of those erected in the name of St. Paul. The murals on the ceiling depicting Jesus Christ, John, Matthew and Lucas, are world-renowned. Though it is no longer a religious center in Türkiye , it is among the country’s most beautiful historical sites.
22. St. Pierre Monument Museum
Hatay’daki Saint Pierre Kilisesi, Haç (Stauris) Dağı’nın batısında kayalara oyulmuş 13 m derinliğinde, 9.5 m genişliğinde ve 7 m yüksekliğinde bir mağaradan oluşuyor. Hatay’daki ilk Hristiyanların gizli toplantıları için kullandıkları bu mağara, Hristiyan tarihinin en eski kiliselerinden biri olarak kabul ediliyor. 12 havariden biri olan Aziz Petrus’un ilk vaazını verdiği yer olduğuna ve cemaatin, Hristiyan adını bu kilisede aldığına inanılıyor. Kesin inşa tarihi bilinmeyen kilise, 1983 yılında Papa 4. Paul tarafından Hristiyanlar için Kutsal Hac Merkezi ilan edildi.
23. Saint Theodoros Trion Church
Set in the Cappadocia region, the 19th-century Saint Theodoros Trion Church is known for its bell tower. Due to its location in this grape-growing locale, it is also called the Üzümlü (Grape) Church. While not an active religious center in Türkiye , an annual ceremony is at the church in May by Patriarch Bartholomew I.
24. Hacı Bektaş Veli Complex
Built during the 13th century for one of the greatest thinkers in the history of Islam, the Hacı Bektaş Veli mausoleum is not just considered a historical structure but a religious center in Türkiye where the Bektashi teachings, which see and accept all as equals, are illuminated. These teachings are even more relevant today and it is from the in this day and it is from the Hacı Bektaş Veli Complex that these teachings reach throughout the world.
25. Hacı Bayram Mosque
Construction of the Hacı Bayram Mosque began in 1427. This religious center in Türkiye takes its name from poet Hacı Bayram Veli, founder of the Bayrami sect, whose the mausoleum is in the garden of the mosque. It has been said that Bayrami was the first Turkish sect in history and it played an important role in the unification of the Anatolian peoples. Located next to the Temple of Augustus, the mosque was renovated in 1714 and gained characteristics of the 18th century. It is among the best-known religious centers in Ankara.
26. Yılanlı (Snake) Church
The Yılanlı Church is in the Ihlara Valley and home to murals dating from the 9th and 12th centuries. According to legend, the church’s name comes from six snake figures depicted emerging from the priest’s grave. The church also houses tablets depicting eight snakes attacking four women sinners, as well as murals showing Helena holding the Ture Cross, and Saints Onuphrius, Theodore and George. Considered a sacred place in Türkiye, the church is one of the most interesting structures in the region.
27. Al Nazar Church
Carved into a fairy chimney in the Al Nazar Valley, the 10th-century Al Nazar Church features murals depicting the timeline of Christ’s childhood to His ascension. In addition to these scenes from the Holy Bible, the depictions of Emperor Constantine and his mother Helen in this sacred place in Cappadocia are worth seeing.
28. Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital
The structure’s chief architect was Hürrem Shah, from Ahlat, son of Mughith (Khurramshāh b. Mughīth al-Khilātī). Construction began in 1228 and was completed in 1543. This former religious center in Divriği, in Sivas Province, consists of a mosque with two domes, and an adjacent hospital. The Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition to the rich and detailed examples of traditional Anatolian stonemasonry, the mosque has a distinctive feature: when viewed from the front, many motifs in the decor appear symmetrical; in reality, they are asymmetrical and are never repeated in the ornamentation.
29. Cehennemağzı Caves
Consisting of three adjacent caverns in the Ereğli district of Zonguldak, the Cehennemağzı (Hellmouth) Caves are also known as the “Acheron Caves”. According to Roman mythology, the Caves mark the gate from which Hercules descended to Hades, the land of the dead, to bring the hellhound Cerberus to the surface. The first of the caves is also known as the church cave; its columns, capitals, mosaic pavements and candle alcoves indicate its former use as a secret religious center in Türkiye by some of the world’s first Christians. The remnants found in this cave are embellished with motifs showing early Christian period influences.
30. Behramshah Mosque
Constructed in the name of the Mengujekid ruler Fahreddin Behramshah by his son Muzafferüddin Mehmed in the 12th century, this former religious center in Türkiye consists of a congregational area covered by three domes and a harem area covered by one dome. Regarded as one of the most successful examples of Seljuk architecture, the Behramshah Mosque is the first known Seljuk monument in the Black Sea region.
31. Soumela Monastery
Believed to have been erected by two priests from Athens in 365, the monastery was renovated and expanded in the 6th century upon the orders of Justinian. With the addition of grand buildings in the 19th century, the monastery became even more awe-inspiring. The name of this sacred place in Trabzon comes from the word “melas (black)”.
32. Twin Minarets Madrasa
A Seljuk monument and the symbol of Erzurum, the Twin Minarets Madrasa, a former religious center in Erzurum, was constructed by Hundi Hatun, the daughter of Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad. The decorations on the capstone of the madrasa are considered among the most impressive examples of Seljuk stonemasonry.
33. Ancient City of Ani
Erected by Armenian King Gagik I in 1001, the site has endured many wars. The Ancient City of Ani was once considered an important sacred place in the eastern Türkiye region. Also known as the “City of 1001 Churches”, Ani has been home to many civilizations throughout the years. Located on the border between Türkiye and Armenia, 40 churches, chapels and mausoleums have been discovered in Ani to date.
34. Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Erected in 915, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross is considered one of the most important works of art of medieval Armenia. The exterior of the church depicts scenes from the Holy Book. According to legend, this sacred place in Türkiye was built to house a piece of the True Cross, which was smuggled from Jerusalem to Iran and then brought to Van.
35. Dome of Islam, Old City of Ahlat
Dating from 8000 BC, the Kubbat al-Islam (Dome of Islam) with its cave houses and nature, is one of the most culturally rich areas of Bitlis. The title Kubbat al-Islam has only been given to three cities in all of history. It is considered among the ancient sacred places in Türkiye.
36. Mor Gabriel Monastery
Located in the 23 kilometers southeast of Midyat region of Mardin which is known as the homeland of the Syriacs, the foundation of this important religious center in Türkiye was laid in 397 on a high hill covered with oak trees. It is also the most important mausoleum in the region: notable saints throughout history are buried in tombs built in 15 separate niches in the monastery.
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