Molla Çelebi Mosque in Beyoğlu, Istanbul was damaged by fire. Restoration work has begun on the 439-year-old mosque.
Molla Çelebi Mosque was built in 1586 by Mimar Sinan on Parliament-i Mebusan Street in Beyoğlu Fındıklı. The mosque was built by Mehmet Vusuli Efendi, who served as judge of Bursa and Istanbul during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, having witnessed many fires and earthquakes throughout history.
The mosque was damaged by fire in 1723-1724 and again in 1822, having undergone extensive repairs in 1822. Between 1984 and 2001, static electricity problems in the minaret were resolved and the lead casing was replaced.
A fire broke out in the Molla Çelebi Mosque, renovated in 2013, on the night of March 24 due to an electrical fault.
The 439-year-old mosque was destroyed by another fire. The Founding Directorate of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism began restoration work on the damaged historic mosque. The Molla Çelebi Mosque, located on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, will be reopened for worship after completion of restoration.
Director General of the Organization Deputy Director of Istanbul Region 1 Feyyaz Fidan made the following statements about the restoration work:
“Studies assessing the damage on stone and carved marble surfaces, especially those damaged after the fire, continue to be conducted in the prayer hall. We have established a scientific committee at the Molla Çelebi Mosque, consisting of experts in the field of fire and art history. We continue the restoration work with this scientific committee. We look forward to completing the restoration of the Molla Çelebi Mosque. due caused by the fire and reopen for worship as soon as possible.”
