Sadrazam Halil Paşa Mosque
Changes After Its Construction:
- First built in 1617 during Halil Paşa’s grand vizierate, the mosque was part of a small külliye that included a tekke and a türbe.
- Disputes over the management of the külliye’s revenues between the foundation trustee (mütevelli) and others led to a court case. Halil Paşa sought to revoke the endowment deed, but the court ruled in favor of preserving the original arrangement.
- The sebil, fountain, porticoes under the türbe, and other architectural details have been restored over time, though some parts are now in ruins. The türbe’s wooden ceiling collapsed, leaving only the four walls intact.
Prominent Features:
- Located on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus in Üsküdar, near the tomb of Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Efendi, in a historically significant area.
- The türbe’s wooden ceiling has collapsed; today, only its four walls remain.
- The türbe has three separate doors opening to the tomb of Sheikh Mesut Efendi, the tomb of Ayşe Sultan, and the cemetery (hazire).
- The floor is paved with classical period red bricks.
- Next to the türbe is a small türbedar (tomb keeper’s) room, with two windows and a door opening into the türbe.
- Two stone steps within the türbe lead directly into the tomb of Ayşe Sultan.
- According to Halil Paşa’s foundation deed, the külliye was completed before November 1626.
