Lala Hayrettin Paşa Mosque

It was converted into a mosque after the Conquest of Istanbul, in the late 15th century. The
minbar of the mosque was placed by Grand Vizier Maktul Ali Pasha.
The mosque was later repaired by Grand Vizier Mehmed Said Pasha in 1756.
It suffered great damage due to the earthquake at the beginning of the 20th century and
turned into ruins.
The minaret of the Lala Hayrettin Mosque, which was excluded from the staff of the
Foundations Administration a long time ago, was demolished in 1937; a short time after that, the
roof, tiles, flooring and windows were stripped, probably as a result of the sales, and the building
became a ruin consisting of only four walls.
The restoration project, which started about 10-15 years ago, was completed in 2024 and the
mosque was reopened to worship.

The structure was built as a large basilica during the Byzantine period; it was converted into a
mosque during the Ottoman period.
The interior has a crypt with a cross plan.
There is a circular planned section in the courtyard, partly covered in frescoes.
The sacred relics of the Virgin Mary, believed to have been brought from Jerusalem in the 5th
century, are preserved here; these relics were taken to Rome after the Latin invasion.