Kürkçübaşı Mosque
Audio Narration:
Construction Year:
Early 16th century
Location:
Fatih, İstanbul
Ordered by:
Ahmet Şemsettin Bey (Suleiman the Magnificent's chief furrier)
Architects:
Unknown
Changes After Construction:
- The mosque was completely burned down in a fire in 1892.
- On February 14, 1894, the mosque’s project was re-drawn according to the project obtained from the Ottoman Archives; however, this project could not be completed when many mosques were destroyed in the great earthquake of 1894.
- Two-thirds of its land was sold during the Republican period.
- It was identified in 2010 by the Istanbul Association for the Protection of Environment, Culture and Historical Monuments. Within the scope of the protocol made with the Directorate General of Foundations in 2012, its registration, project design and revival began, and it was revived by İbrahim Çetin in 2017 according to the 1894 project measurements, and opened for worship at the beginning of 2018.
Prominent Features:
- The mosque has a simple and functional architecture; the exterior of the rectangular structure has been given a traditional aesthetic by using wood cladding or wood-looking materials.
- The entrance section is supported by a small porch, and in front of the mosque there is a fountain adorned with ornaments specific to Ottoman architecture.
- The minaret is white and has an octagonal body, and the balcony section draws attention with its six relief ornaments.
- In the interior, the wooden minbar and pulpit reflecting Ottoman tradition stand out with elegant carved ornaments.
- Traditional calligraphy is used in the design of the mihrab; wide arched windows allow natural light to flow in.
- The lighting system is supported by modern chandeliers, and the women’s gallery is planned as a regular upper floor area separated by wooden railings.