Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Madrasa

Audio Narration:

Construction Year:

1571-1572

Location:

Fatih, İstanbul

Ordered By:

Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmed Pasha

Architect:

Mimar Sinan

Changes After Construction:
  • In 1909, part of the madrasa plot was expropriated because of the road-widening works carried out on the rear street.
  • In records dated 1914, the madrasa is stated to have been active.
  • In 1918, the madrasa was used for shelter by fire victims.
  • In 1928, the Permanent Council of the Istanbul Province put the madrasa rooms up for lease.
  • In 1929, the structure was leased out collectively for the rooms to be used as dwellings; the rooms were opened to use through subletting.
Prominent Features:
  • The mosque and the madrasa share the same fountain courtyard; after the main entrance opening to the north, the courtyard level is reached by stairs.
  • The complex sits on sloping ground descending from south to north and from east to west, with different levels; the northern section is reserved for the mosque and madrasa, and the southern section for the lodge.
  • The classroom is a square-planned, domed unit projecting outward from the madrasa mass; the main entrance and stair arrangement were placed beneath the classroom.
  • The madrasa rooms are square-planned and domed; the rooms enclose the courtyard in two equal sections in an “L” shape, and a portico with a wooden covering clad in lead extends in front of them.
  • At the northwestern corner of the complex there is a projecting water reservoir; above it are the madrasa latrines, in front of it are two fountains, and shops are lined up beneath the madrasa rooms.
  • The shared entrance inscription records the completion date of the mosque–madrasa pair and also states that there had previously been another structure on this site.