Ankara's largest mosque dominates the Kızılay skyline with four slender minarets and a cascade of domes built in a deliberately classical Ottoman style, echoing the great 16th-century models of Istanbul. Despite its traditional look it is a modern creation, constructed between 1967 and 1987, and its scale is genuinely impressive: the vast prayer hall glows with chandeliers, calligraphy, and İznik-style tilework beneath a soaring central dome. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times, and the calm interior offers a cool retreat from the busy streets. Curiously, a large shopping arcade and supermarket occupy the levels beneath the mosque, a very Ankara blend of the sacred and the everyday. The terrace outside is a popular gathering spot with city views. As at any working mosque, dress modestly, remove your shoes, and women should bring a headscarf, though wraps are usually available at the door.
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