Şah Sultan Tomb
About the Person:
- Şah Sultan was the daughter of Sultan Mustafa III and Mihrişah Sultan (Second Consort).
- She held a respected position within the Ottoman palace protocol.
- In 1778, she was married to Nişancı Seyyid Mustafa Paşa, brother of Grand Vizier Kara Vezir Mehmed Paşa.
- She became known for her charitable works, commissioning schools, fountains, and public water dispensers.
- She passed away in 1802 at the age of 42 and was buried in the tomb she had built for herself.
About the Tomb:
Construction Year: 1799–1801
Ordered by: Şah Sultan
Architect: Mimar İbrahim Kamil Ağa
Prominent Features:
- • The complex includes a tomb, public fountain (sebil), school (mektep), water fountain (çeşme), and courtyard.
- The grand courtyard gate facing the street is flanked by brass-grilled windows. Above the gate is an inscription panel, and inside, above the arch, is a verse from the Qur’an and the tughra of Sultan Selim III.
- The tomb blends a square base with a circular interior plan, measuring 8 meters in diameter and topped with a lead-covered dome. Four elegant corner turrets act as visual counterweights.
- Each façade has six windows arranged in two tiers: lower ones with iron grilles, upper ones with stained glass and lattice screens.
- The entrance portico has six columns, with the center covered by a dome and sides by barrel vaults. Balustrade panels close the spaces between columns.
- The entrance is clad in two-tone marble; above the arch is Qur’an 29:57, and above that, Sultan Selim III’s tughra. Verses from Surah az-Zumar appear above the windows.
- The dome interior and walls are richly decorated with painted ornamentation—floral garlands, medallions, palm trees, and fruit motifs. Medallions above the windows bear Islamic symbols and names of the Companions.
- To the right of the tomb is a Baroque-style sebil with an oval three-sided plan, adorned with acanthus leaves, flowing curves, and cartouches. A primary school (sıbyan mektebi) sits above it.
- In the courtyard, directly opposite the main gate, is a fountain bearing the tughra of Sultan Selim III and the date 1215 AH (1800–1801 CE).
- The tomb contains the graves of Şah Sultan, her mother Mihrişah Sultan, and her husband Nişancı Seyyid Mustafa Paşa. The attached burial enclosure (hazire) includes the graves of palace personnel and attendants.
