Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
4.5
About
This l6th-century mosque, built on the slope of a hill near Sultanahmet, is one of the most beautiful examples of classical Turkish architecture in the city. Of special interest are the prayer niches and pulpit, which are covered in lovely Iznik tiles.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Sirkeci
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,116 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,123 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
163 reviews
Excellent
113
Very good
40
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
2
NicJBoston
Brookline, MA724 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Sokollu Mehmet Pasha was a Bosnian, taken in the devshirme as a child, who later became a powerful administrator. This mosque is a short walk towards the Sea of Marmara from Sultanahmet Square. It is rated very highly by those who have managed to enter it, and we found this to be difficult in 2014. Returning in 2019, we again admired the superb Iznik calligraphic panels above the entrance, but were now allowed without difficulty to see the profusely tiled interior.
Written June 19, 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.
jayyen93
Dublin, Ireland610 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
Amazingly, despite being so close to perhaps Istanbul's most popular mosque - the Blue Mosque, this mosque is on the other hand oft-ignored. However, I would argue that Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque is more significant architecturally and historically! The Blue Mosque was designed by the pupil of the master architect Mimar Sinan, who was the designer of this mosque. Although lacking the grandeur of the Blue Mosque, SMP Mosque is nonetheless a masterpiece that reveals Mimar Sinan's perfected skills and trumps even his own famous works like Suleimaniye Mosque!
For instance, take a look at the courtyard. Ottoman mosques were designed as a complex to include buildings of various functions like school and hospital, and SMP was no exception. However, while almost every other mosques have these buildings separated and disjointed, all the buildings in SMP were seamlessly integrated by Sinan. The result is a fully functional and harmonious complex! Literally on top of this architectural harmony is the multi-cupola that is an iconic Ottoman mosque element, although on this mosque, the multiple cupolas were designed to complement one another in a harmonious splendor almost as a single multifaceted cupola without the excessive extravagance or redundancy in the works from Sinan's pupils.
Long story short, SMP is truly a masterpiece that is worth the (very short) detour from the main tourist path and may be even more worthy to see than the more famous mosques in Istanbul! I highly recommend seeing this beautiful mosque, especially before this becomes an open secret like Rustem Pasa Mosque.
For instance, take a look at the courtyard. Ottoman mosques were designed as a complex to include buildings of various functions like school and hospital, and SMP was no exception. However, while almost every other mosques have these buildings separated and disjointed, all the buildings in SMP were seamlessly integrated by Sinan. The result is a fully functional and harmonious complex! Literally on top of this architectural harmony is the multi-cupola that is an iconic Ottoman mosque element, although on this mosque, the multiple cupolas were designed to complement one another in a harmonious splendor almost as a single multifaceted cupola without the excessive extravagance or redundancy in the works from Sinan's pupils.
Long story short, SMP is truly a masterpiece that is worth the (very short) detour from the main tourist path and may be even more worthy to see than the more famous mosques in Istanbul! I highly recommend seeing this beautiful mosque, especially before this becomes an open secret like Rustem Pasa Mosque.
Written November 26, 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.
emiana
London, UK200 contributions
Visit the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya, Topkapi, but then be sure to see this mosque. It's older than the Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque, it's small and in a great area to explore. The interior is stunning with some of the most beautiful tiles I've seen. Magical place.
Written April 6, 2010
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.
ItalyMar
Italy303 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Sometimes tourists don't receive enough information (or the right ones) on places to visit. They have no time to visit everything so they are happy to visit the main places. Istanbul has so many things to visit you cannot blame them if they don't know this small and beautiful mosque. It is not far from the Blue Mosque, a 15-minute walk along narrow streets getting to the sea. Few tourists go there because all stop at the most famous, beautiful and crowded Blue Mosque. But if you have time go to the Sokollu Mosque you will not regret it. Small but really beautiful with its blue tiles, silent with its few tourists. You'll experience the pleasure of few moments of peace of mind before going back to the close touristic streets.
Written May 10, 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.
MaksimirDuda
Zagreb, Croatia172 contributions
This was my second visit to this mosque, and once again I was blown away how buitiful it is. It is a little bit hard to find for the first time, but it is definitely worth visiting. Streets around it are full of local shops that are also great to visit (with prices beloe the one on the Great bazar or Spice Bazar)
Written April 25, 2015
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.
Shekhovtsov V
Istanbul, Turkey420 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
This great mosque is situated in the lanes of Kadirga area near the Blue Mosque and is really worth of visiting it! You should come after noon, otherwise it could be closed. It has beautiful interiors, decorated with Iznik tiles and its stained glasses give the heavingly blue lights! It also has rare Kaaba of Mecca Black Stone fragments, sacred for Muslim people and very respected. The one is in mikhrab, the one is in minbar. The one more is above the door, as I heard, but it's better to ask the imam of the mosque to be sure. It's a pity it was not allowed to make any photos inside of such a wonderful, fabulous place! A tip here is-after visiting this gorgeos mosque you can take a look at Little Hagia Sophia, which is nearby.
Written March 23, 2015
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.
Paul M
Tasagil, Türkiye52 contributions
Apr 2013 • Solo
This mosque is out of the road of regular tourists and also the autority of the place do not promote entry of tourist as it is closed almost immediatly after the pray. it can be understood as the place is really tiny and a big flow of tourists would really disrupt worship. so If you are a respectful tourist mute as a fish and with nice smile the access is tolerated. Inside as the floor is small everything has been done for elevation and the impression is incredible as one has the feeling to be in a hugh place while the whole floor might be just 400m2. Probably one of the nicest mosque in Istanbul for its Iznik tiles
Written December 21, 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.
Florian254
Norddeutschland1,423 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
This Mosque is a bit off the beaten track and the surroundings do not look too inviting but it is 100% worth the walk up and down the hill. A very nice and tranquil courtyard and a nicely decorated facade awaits the traveler and the inside is simply stunning.
Tiles all over in a very bright room, a nice architecture and colours and patterns which would take hours to explore. But simply going in there and to admire the beauty for 10-15 minutes, that is enough.
Tiles all over in a very bright room, a nice architecture and colours and patterns which would take hours to explore. But simply going in there and to admire the beauty for 10-15 minutes, that is enough.
Written October 21, 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.
aguvenis
Istanbul, Türkiye234 contributions
Oct 2010
Sokullu Mehmet Pasha mosque is not on the main tourist attraction stream yet close to Sultanahmet. If you have time do not miss this jewel like mosque built by famous architect Sinan for equally famous Grand Vizier and son in-law of Sultan Suleyman .
The mosque is built on a steep slope in Kadırga (a neighbourhood next to Sultanahmet) making the building an architecture masterpiece with its proportions. The well kept interior is one of the most notable with the best examples of İznik Tiles at its highest quality.
The area is a short walk from Sultanahmet , make sure you go there before or after prayer hours since sometimes it is kept locked in between due to security reasons .
You can also consider visiting recently renovated close by Little Aya Sofia mosque used to be the church of Byzantium Imperial Palace, worth the walk with its elegant interior, with masterpieces of column heads made of marble.
The mosque is built on a steep slope in Kadırga (a neighbourhood next to Sultanahmet) making the building an architecture masterpiece with its proportions. The well kept interior is one of the most notable with the best examples of İznik Tiles at its highest quality.
The area is a short walk from Sultanahmet , make sure you go there before or after prayer hours since sometimes it is kept locked in between due to security reasons .
You can also consider visiting recently renovated close by Little Aya Sofia mosque used to be the church of Byzantium Imperial Palace, worth the walk with its elegant interior, with masterpieces of column heads made of marble.
Written September 19, 2011
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.
Caanaadaa
Ontario, Canada245 contributions
Oct 2010 • Couples
Not as many people visit this mosque as the Blue Mosque, but if you like Iznik Tiles this is well worth a visit.
The tile work here is beautiful. I liked the tiles here even better than the Blue Mosque's tiles.
There's also some stained glass windows to see here.
Worth a visit.
The tile work here is beautiful. I liked the tiles here even better than the Blue Mosque's tiles.
There's also some stained glass windows to see here.
Worth a visit.
Written September 14, 2011
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.
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 listingSokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Istanbul
Frequently Asked Questions about Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
- Hotels near Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque:
- (0.01 mi) Cozy apart Sultanahmet, Blue Mosque, Istanbul
- (0.01 mi) Ekim Apartments
- (0.02 mi) Daphne Hotel
- (0.02 mi) Central location, private family room
- (0.02 mi) Sultan Palace Hotel
- Restaurants near Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque:
- (0.02 mi) Rabbit Hole Coffee Shop
- (0.07 mi) Garden 1897 Restaurant
- (0.06 mi) Turkish Cuisine
- (0.05 mi) Ast Terrace Restaurant Cafe
- (0.08 mi) Ziya Baba Turk Mutfagi
Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque Information
Excellent Reviews | 113 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 40 |
Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque Photos | 255 |