Mosque

Defterdar Tahir Efendi Mosque

The mosque underwent extensive restoration in 1898. An expansion was made on the north side and Western-style decorations were added to the Harim door.
The school built to the north of the mosque has not survived to the present day and a hotel was built in its place.
Two fountains were built adjacent to the north wall of the mosque courtyard and a third fountain facing west; only one of these fountains has survived to the present day.

The mosque has a simple design reflecting the Empire style, made of cut stone and brick. The roof of the mosque is also made of wood and tiles.
There are two entrances in the courtyard of the mosque; the main gate on the street is made of marble in the Turkish Baroque style and has a canopy.
There is a hanging lamp motif on the mihrab; the minbar and the preacher’s pulpit are made of wood and decorated with green and gilded paints.
The panel with the inscription “Ya Hazret-i Bilal-i Habeşi” (“O Hazrat Bilal of Abyssinia”, one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad) on it, which is recorded on Tahir Effendi’s colophon, is among the original elements of the mosque.
The single-balcony brick minaret is decorated with white cut stone details and ends with a cone that tapers towards the top.
The mosque is also called Harem Mosque or Harem Iskele Mosque; due to its historical location, it was first located on the seaside.