Mesih Mehmet Paşa Mosque

Audio Narration

Construction Year:

1585–1588

Location:

Fatih, İstanbul

Ordered by:

Hadım (Eunuch) Mesih Mehmed Pasha, one of the grand viziers of the Murad III era.

Architects:

Unknown

- Changes after its construction
  • There used to be a masjid built by Hasan Pasha on the site of this mosque. Mesih Mehmed
    Pasha wanted to have a mosque built where the masjid was; Hasan Pasha agreed and
    prepared the groundwork for the construction of today mosque.
  • Muhzir Mehmed Efendi had its minbar placed.
  • The tomb of Mesih Mehmed Pasha, who died in 1591, is in the courtyard of the previously built
    Mesih Ali Pasha Mosque.
  • The narthex of the mosque was expanded in 1987; the fountain in the courtyard was removed
    and the ablution areas and toilets were moved under the courtyard.
- Prominent features
  • The fact that the mosque is called “Sütçü Murad Masjid” in some records comes from Sütçü
    Murad Street nearby.
  • The mosque, which fell into ruin over time, was rebuilt by Fetva Emini (Overseer of Fatwas)
    Hacı Nuri Efendi during the reign of Abdulhamid II, so the mosque is also called “Fetva Emini
    Mosque”.
  • The walls of the mosque are made of stone and the dome has an iron frame.
  • The single-balcony minaret is made of brick; its surface is plastered with concrete and the
    balcony railings are surrounded by iron bars.
  • The mosque is covered with 8 small domes.
    There is a wide gallery on the upper part of the section added later.
  • Hasan Pasha, the first benefactor of the masjid that used to be on the site of the mosque, is
    buried in front of the mosque mihrab today.
  • The well in the courtyard is used for water needs.
  • Reading and conversation rooms have been built at the back of the mosque for students and
    for the mosque congregation.