Mimar Acem Mosque

Audio Narration

Construction Year:

1523

Location:

Fatih, İstanbul

Ordered by:

Chief Architect Acem Ali

Architects:

Chief Architect Acem Ali

- Changes after its construction
  • It was repaired by Emine Sultan, the daughter of Mustafa II, between 1738–1739.
  • It remained in ruins for years as a result of two fires in the early 19th century.
  • It is understood from the inscription that it was repaired by Sultan Mehmed V in 1911.
  • It began to be used as a mosque after the dervish lodges were closed in 1925.
  • During the reconstruction in 1981, a two-storey reinforced concrete narthex was added.
- Prominent features
  • The mosque is also known as the “Örümceksiz Mosque”, “Esir Ali Mosque”, “Sünni Esir Ali
    Mosque” and “Mimar Acem Ali Mosque”.
  • It is located in a large courtyard in the Şehremini Sarayı Square.
  • The walls of the mosque are made of masonry.
  • It has a ceiling with several star patterns, and wooden elements such as the minbar and the
    preacher’s pulpit
  • Its mihrab is low.
  • The upper gallery, which is accessed from the narthex, is made of reinforced concrete.
  • Its minaret is made of brick and stone and stands out with its single balcony.
  • Its interior area is 219 m² and there is also a gallery.
  • There is also a fountain in its approximately 650 m² courtyard.
  • There is a cemetery in its courtyard.
  • The fountain near the mosque was built in 1738 by Emine Sultan, the daughter of Sultan
    Mustafa II, and she is buried in the open top tomb opposite the mosque.
  • Acem Ali is buried in front of the mihrab wall.