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Şemsi Paşa It is not its size that makes it interesting, but rather its location and layout. This Only a short walk from the docks in the mosque has a privileged and unique direction of the Maiden’s Tower is the position next to the Bosphorus shore. Şemsi Pasha Mosque, which is informally Sinan always paid special attention to the Sİnan in Üsküdar known as Kuşkonmaz (the mosque where site and its surroundings, adapting the birds don’t land) due to the strong winds proposed building accordingly. The Most Celebrated Ottoman Architect at the mosque. The Mosque is a celebrated example The mosque was built in 1580 by Sinan, of Sinan’s skill in organically blending Sinan’s importance and influence are often compared with when he was already 90 years old. architecture with the natural landscape. his contemporary Michelangelo; his hundreds of works Şemsi Pasha Mosque was designed for and architectural skills make him one of the most prolific the grand vizier Şemsi Ahmet Pasha. In addition to serving as the Grand Vizier, architects of all time. Şemsi Pasha occupied other numerous high-ranking political posts, including In his early twenties, Sinan began his Through these monuments it is possible governor of Damascus. lifelong service to the Ottoman to trace Sinan’s architectural evolution as during the reigns of four sultans, particularly well. Sinan completed Mihrimah Süleyman I. Some of Sinan’s prominent Mosque in 1547, this was only 8 years after BOSPHORUS monuments are located in Üsküdar, two of he became the chief architect. Şemsi Pasha which were built for female patrons; Sultan Mosque was built in 1580 when he was Süleyman’s daughter Mihrimah Sultan and about 90 years old. He also built Atik Valide Tomb of Şemsi Paşa Selim II’s wife Valide . Mosque in 1583, and it became his last major work. Mosque Mihrimah Sultan Mosque Cemetery Also called the for Dignitaries Iskele (Quay) Mosque because (Today Library) of its proximity to Üsküdar’s pier, Mihrimah Sultan Other Monuments by Sinan Mosque is one Bath (Mimar Sinan Bazaar) This is another bath built by Sinan for of Üsküdar’s best- Nurbanu Sultan, which later served as a market starting in the early 20th century. known landmarks. Hacı Ahmed Paşa Tomb Another monument is a tomb built by Sinan for Hacı Ahmed Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Pasha, who was the chief courtier for Selim II and Murad III. Hürrem Sultan (Roxelana) and Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, and wife of Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha, www.quickguides.info commissioned Sinan to build this mosque Published by Yenen Publishing (Şerif Yenen) www.serifyenen.com • [email protected] in her own name. It was built in 1547 as Copyright © 2020 Şerif Yenen Written by Şerif Yenen an imperial mosque with two minarets, Edited by David Hendrix Design by Cem Günübek only because Mihrimah obtained Illustrations by Cemil Cahit Yavuz permission from her father. Atik Valide Mosque Sinan’s Life (c.1491-1588) of his works was around 375 consisting of Mihrimah Sultan Mosque architecture of the building to the topography. Atik Valide Mosque through which the streets had to pass. , , tombs, public kitchens, The limited space is probably the reason for the The mosque was expanded with two domes Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is a massive structure Atik Valide is another Ottoman mosque He was born in the village of Ağırnas near hospitals, aqueducts, palaces, storehouses, use of only three half domes instead of four as on both sides probably by Sinan’s assistant on a raised platform consisting of a spacious, complex sponsored by a powerful woman, Kayseri probably to a Christian family. hamams, and bridges. well as the lack of a classical style colonnaded Davut Aga. A pavilion with an independent high-vaulted basement, slender minarets, a Nurbanu Valide Sultan, wife of Selim II and Around the age of twenty, he was drafted rectangular courtyard. entrance was added during the reign of He drew on a wide range of influences on single-dome resting on clover-shaped piers mother of Murad III, which Sinan completed in into the Janissary corps, which required Sultan Mahmud II in 1834. his conversion to . Following years of the region, from Byzantine domed-churches connected to each other with pointed arches, It was originally a larger complex; the remaining 1583, just before Nurbanu’s death. Selim was rigorous education, Sinan became a military and Seljuk architecture to the various three semi-domes flanking the central dome on buildings in the complex are the mosque itself the son and successor of Sultan Süleyman This complex can be deemed as a farewell engineer in the Ottoman army, eventually monuments he saw during his extensive three sides, and a wide double portico. and a madrasa (school of theology), a primary the Magnificent. from the great architect Sinan. In his last travels. He was constantly driven by the school, a fountain, tombs and a hamam (later masterpiece, Sinan displayed his extraordinary serving as chief of the artillery for Sultan The location of the mosque was once on the Even after Selim began to take other desire to learn more, establish links with used as a market). talent and provided a lesson in the architecture Süleyman’s campaigns. When he was 48, shore of the Bosphorus. It is also on the side concubines, Nurbanu continued to be a favorite the past, and develop reliable principles of of the 16th century. he was appointed Chief of the Imperial of a hill, which required Sinan to adjust the for her beauty and intelligence, and acted as an architecture throughout his life. Architects, a post he held for half a century important advisor to her husband. tiles decorate the walls on both sides of during the reign of three different sultans: As an architect who built so extensively, the prayer niche. Sinan designed a bright and The complex consists of a mosque at the center, Süleyman I (28 years), Selim II (8 years) and Sinan never repeated himself, which was well-lit mosque for Nurbanu Sultan by using a madrasa, primary school, dervish lodge, Murad III (14 years). a remarkable achievement. A major aspect many windows and white marble that reflect school for Qur’an recitation, (soup Dervish of his talent was the ability to transform the meaning of Nurbanu’s name “light”. Sinan’s Architecture kitchen), hospital, and hamam. Lodge any possible architectural problems into Sinan was not just an architect, but also aesthetic accomplishments. The buildings of the complex are spread out an equally accomplished engineer, urban and lined up on a large rugged stretch of land, Funerary Procession of Nurbânû Sultan on the way out of the Palace, Miniature Madrasa planner, and administrator. The total number painting by Lokmân b. Hüseyin, Şehinşâhnâme.

Primary School Mosque Cemetery for Dignitaries Cemetery for Dignitaries Tomb of School for Qur’an Recitation Edhem Paşa Mosque Hospital Sinan’s signature and seal Madrasa Tomb of Primary Sinan Paşa School Soup Kitchen

Detail showing Sinan at the funeral of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, miniature painting by Nakkaş Osman.