Kayalar Mosque
Changes After Its 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.
Prominent Features:
- 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.
