Rahime Sultan Mosque

Rahime Sultan Mosque, located in Uzunkum Neighborhood of Sapanca district in Sakarya, was built in 1892 by Peruste Rahime Sultan, the fourth wife of Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid. Constructed with rubble stone and brick technique, the structure, with its arched windows on the front facade and carved ornaments on the inner surface of its dome, constitutes a beautiful example of the town mosque architecture of its period.

Although the mosque underwent repairs after the 1967 earthquake, it continues to be one of the few structures that have preserved their original texture. It is known that a holy relic (sakal-ı şerif) is located in a small enclosed section between the minbar and mihrab. In its garden, there are an ablution fountain (şadırvan) and restrooms, a cemetery on its left side, and a Quran course right next to it.

It is possible to visit Rahime Sultan Mosque throughout the year. Since the Sapanca Lake surroundings are at their most beautiful in spring and autumn, you can add the lake and its coastal walking routes to your itinerary during these periods. In summer, the Uzunkum coast becomes lively; morning hours offer a calmer visiting opportunity. You can plan your visit keeping in mind that there will be a congregation in the mosque during prayer times.

The mosque is easily accessible by car from Sapanca town center, heading towards Uzunkum Neighborhood. When you follow the Sapanca Lake coastal road and arrive in Uzunkum, you will find the mosque right behind Uzunkum Village Primary School. You can also park your car at the nearby Berceste facilities and walk from there. It is also possible to walk along the Sapanca Lake shore by passing through the tunnel right next to the mosque.

The mosque's front facade, prominent with its stone and brick texture, its arched windows, and modest minaret, makes for an interesting photographic subject. The ablution fountain (şadırvan) in the garden can also be included in the frame as a detail reflecting traditional Ottoman mosque architecture. Inside, the carved ornaments of the dome and the wooden minbar are also worth photographing; however, remember to show respect to the congregation when taking photos inside during prayer times.

You can consider Rahime Sultan Mosque not as a standalone stop, but as part of the Sapanca Lake coastal route. After parking your car on the Uzunkum coast, you can visit the mosque for a short while, then pass through the tunnel next to the mosque to descend to the lake shore. Walking along the coastline to see the lake view of Sapanca will make this visit more productive. You can combine it with other historical structures in Sapanca town center, such as Hasan Fehmi Pasha Mosque, to create a half-day history tour.

Rahime Sultan Mosque is an active place of worship. During your visit, modest clothing is expected, and women are asked to wear a headscarf. It may not be appropriate to enter during prayer times; choosing time slots between prayers will provide a better visiting experience. Since the mosque is a small-scale structure, the visit duration can be kept short; a more comprehensive trip can be planned by combining it with the Sapanca Lake surroundings.

The Uzunkum coast and Sapanca town center are quite rich in terms of fish restaurants by the lake and cafes offering local delicacies. Dishes made from the freshwater fish of Sapanca Lake are among the prominent flavors of the region. There are also tea gardens and small businesses along the Uzunkum coastline where you can take a break after a walk.