Cerrah Mehmed Paşa Tomb

Originally of “devshirme” origin, Cerrah Mehmed Paşa was educated in Enderun and served as a palace surgeon in the Has Oda. During this period, he circumcised Sultan Murad III’s son, Şehzade Mehmed, and for this reason he was known as the “Surgeon”. He married the Gevherî Memlük Sultan in 1578, and she was the widow of Kaptan-ı Derya (Grand Admiral) Piyale Paşa.
After serving as Janissary Agha, Beylerbeyi and various viziers in his career, he served as Grand Vizier between 1598 and 1599. He was dismissed from duty due to his illness and died in 1604. Cerrah Mehmed Paşa is an influential figure in the Ottoman administrative structure with his line extending from palace service to the highest office of the state.

Construction Year: 1604

Ordered by: Cerrah Mehmed Paşa

Architect: Architect Davud Ağa

Prominent Features:

The tomb is located within the Cerrah Mehmed Paşa Complex, built in 1593-94. The complex consists of a mosque, a madrasah, a school, a classroom, a fountain, a double bathhouse and a tomb. The tomb is located in the northwest corner of the mosque courtyard, adjacent to the courtyard wall.
The tomb, which bears the characteristics of classical Ottoman architecture, has an octagonal plan, is made of cut stone and is covered with a dome. The lower windows have rectangular marble sills, while the upper ones have pointed arches. The wooden portico that existed in previous periods has not survived to the present day; today there is a modern wooden porch.
The interior of the tomb is quite plain. There are hand-drawn decorations consisting of plant motifs on the inner surface of the dome. Inside, there are a total of three wooden coffins belonging to Cerrah Mehmed Paşa and his two sons.
The tomb is a memorial site for Cerrah Mehmed Paşa, an important historical figure who gave his name to the Cerrahpaşa district of Istanbul. The tomb and its social complex are a valuable group of structures in terms of Ottoman urbanism and architectural heritage.