Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque

Experience One of Sinan’s Greatest Pieces at Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque

When you read about Istanbul you will learn about a lot of different periods of history. You will see pictures, hear names, and you will understand the sheer scale of the culture and history that this city has seen before its very eyes. Of course, there are some names which will crop up again and again. One of those names is Sinan, or Mimar Sinan.

Sinan is a famous Ottoman era architect, who has designed some of the most famous buildings which still stand in Istanbul today. He was the favourite architect of the Sultans, and his work was intricate, decorative, and stunningly beautiful to the senses.

One piece of work which Sinan was responsible for is the Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque.

About The Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque

Sokollu Mehmet Pasa was the Grand Vizier to three Sultans of the Ottoman period, including Suleiman the Magnificent. In his honour, there are two mosques in Istanbul which are dedicated to him, built after his death in 1579. Both of these beautiful mosques were designed by Sinan himself, and are renowned for being pieces of his greatest work.

Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque is coated in Kadirga, in the Fatih region of the city. Of this, is one of the oldest parts of the city, but it also sits on some of the steepest hills that Istanbul offers. Perhaps this is why this mosque is quite remarkable, because the feat of building a mosque on a steep hill isn’t an easy one!

The mosque was built in 1571, and the grounds were once the site of the Aya Anastasia Church. Reaching the Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque isn’t difficult, because it is located so centrally within one of the most popular parts of the city, however the hill may make it difficult for those with limited mobility issues.

The Architecture of Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque

Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque has three doors on the external side, and the beautiful fountain in the courtyard is what really catches the eye first of all. The mosque rises up behind the fountain, and this is certainly a photograph you need in your Istanbul collection.

The courtyard itself is quite small, which means you’re almost immediately at the door of the complex itself. Inside there is a madrasa and what was once a dervish lodge. The mosque itself really is a sight for the eyes to take in, and it is decorated with intricate Iznik tiles; many people consider these to be some of the best you could find at the time. The colours are blues and reds, and the light spilling in from the stained glass windows (there are 98 of them) makes the tiles sparkle.

The whole feel of the mosque is intricate, classy, and elegant.

The mosque’s dome is 15 metres wide, and it is held by six columns. Inside, you will also find four stones which belonged to the Black Stone of the Kaaba. These are found on the entrance of the mosque, another on the mihrab, and two are found on the mimber. Many visits head to Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque for this very reason alone.

Visiting Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque

Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque is literally less than five minutes’ walk away from the Blue Mosque, so it is very easy to reach when visiting the oldest part of the city. The Sultanahmet/Fatih region is without a doubt one of the most visited spots in Istanbul, and therefore you can easily fill your time in this historic area with a range of other spots after you have spent time gazing at the wonder of Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque.

The mosque is open every day, however remember that it is a functioning mosque so it will be closed during prayer times. Always remember to use discretion and adhere to mosque etiquette when visiting any religious site such as this. Women will need to cover their heads, everyone will need to remove their shoes, and conservative clothing will need to be worn by all, such as arms and legs covered.

Also remember never to walk in front of someone who is praying in the mosque, and to keep your voices down, as well as avoiding flash photography. At the end of the day it’s down to respect, to ensure that everyone can continue to visit such amazing sites as this.

There is no admission fee for the mosque, however donations are always greatly received.