Mustafa Reşid Paşa Tomb

Born in Istanbul, Mustafa Reşid Paşa began his education under the guidance of his father and entered government service as a secretary.
He took part in critical diplomatic missions concerning the Egyptian Question and the situation in Algeria, serving as ambassador in Paris and London, where he became well-versed in European diplomacy.
In 1839, he oversaw the proclamation of the Tanzimat Edict, which marked the beginning of modernization and reform in the Ottoman Empire.
He played a role in curbing the rebellion of the Egyptian governor, Mehmed Ali Paşa, with support from Britain, and repeatedly held the position of grand vizier, though often faced opposition and dismissal.
His foreign policy relied heavily on British support, and during the Crimean War, he was instrumental in securing British and French military aid.
Though he supported the general idea of reform, he criticized the Islahat Fermanı (Reform Edict) for being included in the Treaty of Paris, emphasizing the need for balanced rights between Muslims and non-Muslims.
He was a pioneer of clear and concise official language in Ottoman bureaucracy. Widely regarded as the father of the Tanzimat movement, he led the state’s reformist engagement with Europe. He died in 1858 of a heart attack.

Construction Year: 1860

Ordered by: His family or the Ottoman State

Architect: Fossati (Swiss architect)

Prominent Features:

Unlike typical Ottoman tombs, this türbe has a square layout.
It is covered with a prismatic dome supported by pendentives.
The structure is built from cut stone and elevated on a 2-meter-high podium.
Each façade is distinct in design: West façade has a single window. East façade features a small portico-like entrance with a cornice and two columns. North façade includes a large window opening. South façade is the primary face, clad in marble despite being constructed from küfeki stone, and features three large windows.
The interior is simple, decorated only with plaster reliefs and acanthus leaves in the pendentives.
The interior of the dome features painted ornamentation.
Columns between the windows are adorned with vegetal motifs, acanthus leaves, and rosettes.
The tomb houses Mustafa Reşid Paşa and his sons Mehmet Cemil Paşa, Ali Galip Paşa, and Salih Bey.
An open grave with an iron grille on the north side belongs to his daughter, Adile Sultan.