Hacı Mehmed Emin Ağa Tomb
About the Person:
- Hacı Mehmed Emin Ağa was a charitable Ottoman figure who served as Sipahi Ağası (Commander of the Cavalry) during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I.
• In 1741, he commissioned the construction of a public fountain (çeşme) and sebil to provide water to the area and added a school (mektep) for the benefit of the people. - After his death, his son Hüseyin Ağa, who served as the Tersane Emini (Chief of the Imperial Arsenal), continued these charitable efforts and expanded the school. He and his family are buried in the tomb courtyard (hazire).
About the Tomb:
Construction Year: 1741
Ordered by: Hacı Mehmed Emin Ağa
Architect: Unknown
Prominent Features:
- The tomb is not a separate enclosed structure but is located within a family courtyard (hazire) behind the sebil and fountain.
- Emin Ağa and his family are buried within the hazire.
- The sebil and fountain are adorned with Corinthian-capital columns, a broad marble cornice, a lead-covered pointed dome, and colorful marble inlays.
- The sebil has five windows, protected by iron grilles; historically, water was distributed through seven spouts beneath each window.
- The entrance door and fountain are symmetrically arranged on the façade; carved window motifs next to the door are noteworthy.
- The inscription of the sebil and fountain is located above the arch, and a blank marble medallion sits at the top.
- The adjacent school was built in 1756 by Hüseyin Ağa but was demolished during roadworks between 1955 and 1959.
