Nakkaş Hasan Paşa Tomb

Audio Narration:

Person in the Tomb:

Nakkaş Hasan Paşa

Location of the Tomb:

Eyüpsultan, İstanbul

Title:

Vizier, Painter (Nakkaş), Gilding Artist (Tezhipçi)

Birth / Death:

Unknown - 1622

About the Person:
  • While little is known about his early life, Nakkaş Hasan Paşa was trained in the Enderun (Palace School) and served in the Harem-i Hümâyun (Imperial Harem).
  • In 1581, during the reign of Sultan Murad III, he worked alongside the renowned painter Osman. Over time, he held positions such as bölükbaşı (head of a division), anahtar oğlanı (key keeper), tülbent gulâmı (turban cloth servant), and was appointed kapıcıbaşı (chief gatekeeper) in 1603.
  • He later served as Tophane nazırı (arsenal superintendent), Yeniçeri Ağa (commander of the janissaries), and Beylerbeyi of Rumelia, actively participating in military campaigns and suppressing the Celâlî revolts.
  • In 1609, he was granted the rank of vizier and became Beylerbeyi of Buda. Under Sultan Osman II, he rose to the position of third vizier.
  • A master of Ottoman miniature painting and gilding, he contributed to works such as The Conquest of Eger and Siyer-i Nebî. His miniatures featured full-faced, thick-browed, bearded figures, and his landscapes often included tall trees and pointed hills.
  • His gilding work includes the illuminated tughra of Sultan Ahmed I and the Qur’an manuscript of Ahmed Şemseddin Karahisârî.
  • He owned a yalı (waterside mansion) in Beylerbeyi; the district of Nakkaştepe is believed to be named after him.
About the Tomb:

Construction Year: 17th century

Ordered by: Nakkaş Hasan Paşa

Architect: Unknown

Prominent Features:

  • The türbe has a square plan and is built from cut stone, topped by a high drum and a lead-covered dome.
  • A three-part portico supported by columns with muqarnas capitals and pointed arches stands in front, beneath a three-sided sloping roof.
  • The façades feature Qur’anic inscription panels, scallop-shell pediments, and two rows of windows. On the entrance façade, lower windows are replaced by cupboard niches.
  • The drum is hexadecagonal (16-sided) with eight windows and softened corners with small columns.
  • On the street-facing side is an elegant fountain with a small dome and scallop pediment; next to it is an inscription dated 1714, belonging to Mehmed Bey.
  • The tomb contains twelve graves: six with marble sarcophagi and six with wooden coffins, including the graves of Nakkaş Hasan Paşa, his wife, children, and Mehmed Bey.
  • Nine additional headstones are found in the adjoining graveyard (hazire).