Mosque

Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque

The mosque’s minaret was rebuilt from the middle section by installing scaffolding during the renovation works in 1855.
In 1913, its stained glass and plaster windows were renewed by a master named Tevfik from Bursa.
In 2011, the mosque, the tomb and the bath underwent a comprehensive restoration. Other parts of the complex were restored in 2015.
After being used for various purposes for many years, its madrasah was left idle and neglected, and was later taken over by a foundation to be restored.

The Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque was built by Mimar Sinan, inspired by the architecture of Hagia Sophia. It is defined as a small revision of Hagia Sophia with its domes and half domes.
According to the legend, Kılıç Ali Pasha asked Sultan Murad III for suitable land to build a mosque. However, considering that he was the Grand Admiral, the Sultan ordered him to “build a mosque in the sea.” Thereupon, Kılıç Ali Pasha made an agreement with Mimar Sinan and began the construction of the mosque by piling up stones, soil and rubble on the edge of the Tophane dock. For this reason, it is said that Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque was the first mosque built on the sea.
The mosque is in a completely rectangular shape and its mihrab is covered with a half dome. Sinan applied the structural and aesthetic features of Hagia Sophia in a smaller and more developed form.
The mosque is covered with a main dome with windows and drums resting on four main pillars; the transition of the dome is provided by pendentives.
The narthex and interior of the mosque are decorated with the famous Iznik tiles of the 16th century. The mihrab and qibla wall are covered with tiles. The mihrab and minbar made of white marble attract attention with their meticulous workmanship.
The calligraphy of the mosque was done by the calligrapher Demircikulu Yusuf Effendi, a contemporary of Mimar Sinan.