It is situated on the Golden Horn, at the southern end of the Galata Bridge, and is a notable Istanbul landmark marking the crossing from the old historic core of the city to the Beyoğlu (Pera) district.

The project was hampered by political disconnect, and its location and monetary implications created dissent in the court.

In situating the mosque there, Safiye Sultan hoped to extend the sphere of Islamic influence within the city, capitalising on the growing discontent of both local and foreign merchants who were concerned by the increasing influence of their Jewish counterparts, which gave the Sultan an easy justification for confiscating their property.

In particular, the Janissaries resented the growing political power of the Valide sultan, and believed the mosque to be an unnecessary expenditure.

After 1603, the partially constructed structure gradually fell into ruins; and was severely damaged during the Great Fire of 1660[1] which destroyed many neighbourhoods in the city.

[3] Turhan also ordered the construction of the nearby Spice Bazaar, which forms a part of the külliye of the New Mosque.

On the sides and rear of the central area are colonnades of slender marble columns connected by arches in a variety of styles.

Like many other Ottoman imperial mosques, on the 4 corners where the dome meets the pillars holding it up, are calligraphic plates with the names of the first four khalifahs, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali.

The northeast corner of the gallery has a gilded screen, behind which members of the imperial court could attend services.

The mihrab is decorated with gilded stalactites and the minbar had a conical canopy with slender marble columns.

The structure, which has stone-brick alternate meshed walls, is square-shaped and covered with a flattened dome with an octagonal rim, which is provided with pendants.

The structure, which is handled with cut stone material, is covered with a wide eave flat onion dome and has three sections.

The daughters and sons of Abdul Hamid II who died before the exile of imperial family, and his mother Tirimüjgan Kadın, are buried in this tomb .