Mihrişah Valide Sultan Mosque (Beykoz)

Göksu Mihrişah Valide Sultan Mosque (Küçüksu Mosque), a small mosque built in 2014 in place of the original 18th‑century structure, located in the Göksu neighbourhood of Beykoz district in Istanbul, opposite the Küçüksu Pavilion.

The historic mosque at the same site, after losing its function as a mosque and being used for various purposes during the period 1938‑1948, was demolished in 1959. Rebuilt in 2014 and opened for worship, the mosque is adjacent to the historic Küçüksu Picnic Area.

History

In Göksu in the 18th century there was an independent building and mosque belonging to the Bostancı Corps. The mosque was later renovated by Mihrişah Sultan, the wife of Ottoman sultan III. Mustafa, and thus the Mihrişah Valide Sultan Mosque was created. The exact construction date is unknown. It is known that it was restored in 1835 by decree of Ottoman sultan II. Mahmut.

Its minaret was demolished at an unknown date and for an unknown reason. It is thought that the minaret was destroyed during the period when Istanbul was under occupation. The building without its minaret served as a joint facility for the Anadoluhisarı Sports Club, the Anadoluhisarı Police Station, the Subdistrict Directorate and the Republican People’s Party during 1938‑1948. The Anadoluhisarı Sports Club moved out in 1947‑1948.

After the transition to a multi‑party system in Turkey, petitions were submitted to the General Directorate of Foundations for the mosque to be reopened for worship, but nothing changed. Wanting to end the disputes, Celal Bayar had the vacant mosque building completely demolished in 1959.

In 1997 the Istanbul No. III Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Board decided to prepare a restitution project for the structure. The project prepared by Bülent Uluengin and Nihal Uluengin was approved in 2004; reconstruction work began. In 2011 it was decided that the restoration project was appropriate. The mosque was built in 2013‑2014.