Although construction of Nuruosmaniye Complex started during the reign of Mahmud the First in 1749, with laying of its foundation in a central part of the city and almost inside the commercial zone, adjacent to the Grand Bazaar, upon his death construction of the Complex was completed by his brother, Osman the Third and opened to worship in 1755. III. By naming the mosque Nûr-ı Osmanî (Nuruosmaniye – Light of Osman), Osman ostensibly made the name of the dynasty, but in fact his own name immortal.
Nuruosmaniye Complex consists of a mosque, the sultan’s pavilion, madrasah, library, tomb, public fountain, fountain, soup kitchen, and shops. Since the mosque was built on a sloping land, the vault, which is located under the terrace formed by the mosque and the courtyard, and perhaps intended as a bazaar, was never used until the 1st Yeditepe Biennale. The vault will reopen its doors for the 3nd Yeditepe Biennale.