Sokullu Sehit Mehmet Pasa Mosque

Sokullu Sehit Mehmet Pasa Mosque

Sokullu Sehit Mehmet Pasa Mosque
4.5

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles40 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
16
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Nabil K
Skei, Norway170 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Family
I knew about this mosque only due to the fact that I stayed in a hotel which was situated 10 meters from the mosque. The mosque was designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan for the grand vizier Sokollu Mehmet Pasha (the husband of one of the granddaughters of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, Princess Esmahan). According to the foundation inscription, the building was completed in AH 979 (1571/72 CE). The mosque is officially named after Princess Esmahan, but is more commonly known for its association with her far more famous husband.
The mosque is noted for its architecturally challenging location on a steep slope. Sinan resolved this issue by fronting the mosque with a two-story courtyard. The bottom story (now in ruins) was divided into shops, whose rents were intended to help support the upkeep of the mosque. The upper story with an open colonnaded courtyard had the spaces between the columns on three sides walled off to form small rooms, each with a small window, fireplace and niche to store bedding, forming the living accommodations for a madrasah. Instruction for students was given in the prayer hall itself, or in the dershane, a large domed room over the western staircase. The fourth side of the courtyard is the mosque itself, which is designed as a hexagon inscribed in a rectangle, topped by a dome with four small semi-domes in the corners.
The interior of the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque is famous for its large quantities of İznik tiles, set in a very wide variety of blue and green floral designs, with panels of calligraphy in white letters on a blue field.[4] The interior columns make use of polychrome marble. The minbar is made of white marble with a conical cap, sheathed in turquoise tiles, which also frame the mihrab. The windows above the mithrab are stained glass. Above the door, framed by a gold design, is a fragment of the Kaaba in Mecca; other fragments of this black stone are in the minbar and mihrab
Written November 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SabHussain1
Birmingham, UK16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2013 • Friends
I was completely unaware of this mosque which is located in the historic area of Sultanahmet until my third visit to Istanbul.
Sokullu Mehmet Pasha is a small mosque offering a glimpse into the history of istanbul and the Ottoman era. Pieces of the black stone from Mecca can be viewed here and it is a perfect place for contemplation. The patio area is small and the mosaic work on the inside is as stunning as the blue mosque. A must visit!
Written March 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Damian O
Buenos Aires, Argentina296 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2013 • Solo
If you go to Little Hagia Sophia you should walk 3 blocks more to see this wonder. It is small but is a perfect example of the complex that old mosques include: school, graveyard, internal patios, etc. Prepare to be dazzled by the inside mosaics with the particularly that the pulpit tower is covered by them.
Written July 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alice R
Hobart, Australia8,217 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Friends
From our accommodation we saw this everyday and decided to go to it, we were allowed entry briefly. A quiet space for reflection, a little bit off the beaten path and at the time better than the blue mosque due to renovations.
Written February 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad4,837 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Solo
Here at sultanhmet you can find many lovely structures. This is one of them.. this lovely mosque is still very much in use and very beautiful internally and externally. Be sure to check the prayer times because you will not be allowed to enter during prayers.
Written May 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nayla B
51 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Solo
One of the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan's masterpiece!
A wonderful and peaceful worship place. I went to visit this historic mosque during a morning of the holy month of Ramadan and it was empty and so peaceful.
It has awesome blue tiles from Iznik that covered her walls and light comes through coloured stained glass. A pure architectural beauty!
A worth visiting mosque while in Istanbul. A really must do on your to do list!! Don't miss it...
Written June 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John H
Emsworth, UK152 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016
Unless you are simply passing through Istanbul on a day trip from a cruise, this is an essential visit, easily combined with Little Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome. It is a Sinan masterpiece and its Iznik tiles must not be missed. The guardian is especially friendly and welcoming (happier in German than English).
Written June 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sandy S
Albuquerque, NM1,047 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Couples
The highlight for today was also one of the highlights of our trip so far: the Sokullo Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Situated only three short blocks from our apartment, it was nonetheless a challenge to find, given that our three maps of the Sultanahmet district all disagreed with each other and that none of them indicated the names of small streets. Fortunately, our landlord at A'la House, Kutay Berk, directed us to walk down the street in front of our building. The entrance to the mosque was right there.

At first, we were disappointed. Crossing the courtyard surrounding the ablution kiosk, we found a heavy padded leather curtain blocking the mosque door, which was locked behind it. Shortly, however, a distinguished-looking sexton, with white hair and beard, bustled up and unlocked the sacristy for us, then stayed to act as our guide.

The interior was the loveliest we’d seen, a radiant combination of blue, white and turquoise Iznik tiles in graceful floral patterns, with ebony ceilings above the side galleries. The front of the pulpit and the lintel above the entrance were black marble, gracefully carved and painted. Our guide told us that the mosque dated from 1571 and had been designed by the great (and prolific) court architect Mimar Sinan.
Written May 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert L
Amherst, MA1,612 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Couples
We have seen several mosques and this is as interesting as any. Be careful to observe prayer times. Many Muslims are praying and all the women are delegated to the back rooms. Architecturally very interesting.
Written May 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mesuthan
Istanbul, Türkiye179 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Couples
This unique mosque is a hidden treasure in the middle of Old Town. Easy to reach from Hippodrome. Definitely worth giving a visit.
Written January 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 12
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Sokullu Sehit Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Istanbul

Frequently Asked Questions about Sokullu Sehit Mehmet Pasa Mosque