People in the Tomb
Köprülü Mehmed Paşa was one of the most influential grand viziers of the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century.
He was born in 1575 in the Ruga region of Albania.
He was appointed grand vizier by Sultan Mehmed IV in 1656 to stabilize the state administration.
He is known for requesting full authority over state affairs upon assuming office.
During his tenure, he restored state discipline, improved the financial system, and strengthened the Ottoman army.
The Köprülü family marked the beginning of a politically influential era known as the Köprülü Era in Ottoman history.
Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Paşa was the son of Köprülü Mehmed Paşa and one of the most significant grand viziers during the reign of Sultan Mehmed IV. He received a strong education, became a professor at a young age, and gained recognition as governor of Erzurum and Damascus.
Following his father’s will, he was appointed grand vizier at age 26 in 1661 and held the position for 15 years, making him one of the longest-serving grand viziers in Ottoman history.
He captured Uyvar Fortress from Austria and signed the Treaty of Vasvár, successfully completed the 21-year-long siege of Candia, and solidified Ottoman dominance in the region.
He was known for his gentle, patient, and virtuous nature, implemented reforms in military and finance, and established many charitable institutions, libraries, and foundations.
He died young in 1676 due to illness brought on by extreme fatigue and was buried next to his father in Çemberlitaş, Istanbul.
About the Mausoleum
- Year Built
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Featured Highlights
The tomb is octagonal in plan and features open arcades with horseshoe-shaped arches supported by columns with muqarnas capitals.
It is covered with an iron grille designed as a pointed dome, with marble lintels dividing the façades in line with the column capitals.
The metal grilles are adorned with rumi motifs above and geometric compositions below.
There is a double-winged metal grille door facing the courtyard of the madrasa. The body of the tomb is decorated with a palmette frieze at the top.
Köprülü Mehmed Paşa, Ayşe Hanım, and Fazıl Ahmed Paşa are buried in the tomb.
