Muhtesip Iskender Mosque

Audio Narration

Construction Year:

15th century

Location:

Fatih, İstanbul

Ordered by:

Iskender Agha (The Muhtasib* of Mehmed the Conqueror)

Architects:

Unknown

- Changes after its construction
  • After it burned down in the Balat fire in 1730, it was revived and a minbar was installed by the
    Kethüda Secretary Halil Efendi upon the order of Sultan Mahmud I.
  • It was repaired by Murad Agha in 1834.
  • It was reopened for worship in 2024 after the restoration carried out by the Directorate General
    of Foundations.
- Prominent features
  • Since there is a non-flowing “Kabakulak Ağa Fountain” at the entrance to the mosque, the
    mosque is also known as the “Kabakulak Masjid”.
  • Iskender Agha is buried here.

  • The interior area of the mosque is 84 m², and the area of the courtyard and garden of the
    mosque, surrounded by high walls, is 840 m².

  • The ceiling is flat and wooden.

  • The mihrab, minbar and pulpit are made of marble.

  • There is no muezzin’s gallery or women gallery.

    *Muhtasib was a name given to the supervisor of bazaars and trade, the inspector of public
    places and behavior in towns, ensuring that public business was conducted in accordance with
    the law of sharia.