Ali Kethüda Mosque

AUDIO NARRATION:

CONSTRUCTION YEAR:

1690

LOCATION:

Sarıyer, İstanbul

ORDERED BY:

Grand Vizier’s Chamberlain Ali Efendi (During the reign of Sultan MustafaII)

ARCHITECTS:

Unknown

Changes After Its Construction:
  • According to Hadikatü;l-Cevami records, it was repaired and a brick minaret wasadded by Maktul Mehmet Ağa, the chamberlain of Grand Vizier Nevşehirli Damatİbrahim Pasha, in 1720-1721.
  • In the mid-19th century, the mosque was renovated in accordance with itsarchitectural features.
  • Comprehensive restoration work was carried out by the Directorate General ofFoundations between 2020-2022.
  • When the mosque was first built, it was located on the seashore, but over time, itbecame inland as the shore was filled in.
Prominent Features:
  • It was built on a basement floor.
  • It consists of a closed narthex and a harim (main prayer area).
  • The main space is divided into three naves by seven wooden columns withoctagonal pilaster capitals.
  • Columns carry the mahfil (women’s gallery) along the north, east and west walls.
  • On the north wing of the gallery, the part opposite the mihrab makes asemicircular projection. Wooden columns support the roof.
  • The walls are covered with a scalloped mosaic resembling cut stone masonryfrom the outside.
  • There are two rows of rectangular windows with cut stone sills on the facades.
  • There is a circular window above the main entrance.
  • The main entrance (main gate) in the north is on the axis of the mihrab.
  • There is a side entrance on the east wall.