Changes After Construction
It was commissioned by Nişancı Ahmet Sıdkı Pasha in the second quarter of the 17th century.
In 1877, the current wooden structure was built and its foundation charter was arranged by Sheikh Ahmet Niyazi Efendi, a member of the Qadiri Order.
With the closure of the lodges in 1925, the mosque was abandoned and remained in ruins for 62 years.
In 1987, with the support of donors, it was restored to its original state and reopened for worship.
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Kayalar Mosque is located on the coastal road, between Bebek and Rumelihisarı. It is named "Kayalar Mosque" because of the rocky terrain where it is located.
There is a sacred spring under the mosque and a fountain next to it built by Tavukçu Reis Mustafa Efendi.
The mosque has a rectangular plan, masonry walls and a wooden roof. Its interior has a rectangular plan and a multi-storey structure.
The entrance door is on the coastal road and is on the south side of the ground floor.
The narthex consists of a stone-paved area with a place for ablution to the west and a room to the east.
The women's gallery is made of wood and is located above the narthex.
There are four windows on the east and south walls of the prayer hall, and two windows on the west wall.
The mihrab has a semicircular plan that projects outwards and is surrounded by wooden columns on the sides.
The wooden minbar and preacher’s pulpit have a very plain appearance.
The minaret adjacent to the west facade of the mosque is short and in harmony with the structure.
The base of the minaret is made of cut stone, its body is made of bricks and its cone is covered with lead.
In his work, Evliya Çelebi mentions that there is a tomb belonging to Ismail Maşuki, nicknamed “Oğlan Şeyh” (Boy Sheikh), one of the Bayrami-Melami sheikhs, and describes the adventures of Ismail Maşuki and his monumental tomb in a legendary manner.
Behind the monument, there are mostly springs, fountains or wells considered sacred by the Greeks, and church ruins in the vicinity.
