Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa Tomb
About the Person:
- Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa was the son of Chief Physician Nuh Efendi and became known by the nickname “Hekimoğlu.” He was an intelligent, knowledgeable, determined statesman with a strong sense of authority in governance.
- He also wrote poetry under the pen name Âlî. Throughout his life, he served as governor in various provinces and held the office of grand vizier three times.
- His final post was Governor-General of Anatolia. He fell ill and passed away in Kütahya, and in accordance with his will, his body was transferred to Istanbul and buried beside the mosque that bears his name.
About the Tomb:
Construction Year: 1734 – 1735
Ordered by: Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa
Architects: Çuhadar Ömer Ağa and Hacı Mustafa Ağa
Prominent Features:
- It is considered a late example of classical Turkish architecture.
- The tomb has a rectangular plan and is covered with two domes connected by tromps.
- Beneath the eastern dome lie Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa, his wife Muhsine Hatun, and their family members; beneath the western dome rest Sheikh Abdal Yakub, Sheikh Ibrahim, and prominent figures of the lodge.
- The northern façade, facing the street, is covered in marble up to a certain height; the windows feature elegant metal grilles and openwork inscriptions.
- The wooden portico on the entrance façade was rebuilt in faithful accordance with its original form after a fire.
- Above the entrance is a four-line marble inscription in taʿlīq script.
- Together with its graveyard and fountain, the tomb completes the spiritual and architectural unity of the complex.
