The Nurosmaniye mosque was built by a Greek architect, Simon, who in the opinion of Strolling Through Istanbul (Redhouse, 1989) produced "a failure, but a charming one". I fell for its spell ages ago, not the least because crossing its awkwardly formed "court" from the Covered Market side to the exit at the other side provides a short moment of rest in the busy city. If you want some more rest, the mosque is spacious and quiet. The mosque was begun by Sultan Mahmut I in 1748 and finished by his brother and successor, Osman III in 1755. Nur is "sacred light", so "Osman's Sacred Light". Strangely I always find it a bit dark inside.

To the left is the covered bazaar, to the right the entrance to the mosque's court. I have only rarely passed this point without being accosted by the people running the shop of which the carpets to the right are only advertising. They may show you the inside of a well restored booth-like structure, or their shop, or take you to well-filled cellars with maybe thousands of carpets. Very nice people, a bit tenacious.