Şemsi Paşa Madrasa

It is recorded that, shortly after the death of Şemsi Ahmed Pasha, the madrasa unit came to be referred to with the function of a lodge/zawiya; in the sources, the designations “tekye/madrasa” appear together.
In the Istanbul earthquake of 1894, the complex was heavily damaged; it was repaired in 1895.
It is recorded that, in this period, there were cracks in the madrasa domes and losses in the lead coverings, and that the madrasa was used for a time as an animal shelter.
Following the restoration order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a comprehensive repair was carried out by the Directorate of Foundations between 1940 and 1943.
In the repair of 2007–2008, the minaret, which had shown a dangerous inclination toward the sea, was repaired in accordance with its original form.
Today, the madrasa is used as a library.

It is also known as the Şemsi Ahmed Pasha Madrasa and the Şemsi Pasha Dar al-Hadith; it is stated that, in some sources, it is also referred to in the context of a lodge/zawiya.
Within the complex, the madrasa was designed in an “L”-shaped layout surrounding the courtyard on the north and west sides of the mosque.
The madrasa consists of 12 domed cells and 1 classroom (Dar al-Qurra) unit.
In front of the cells, there is a portico carried by 18 marble columns and not covered with domes; the column capitals are described as diamond-shaped.
It is recorded that pointed arches were used in the portico and that the portico columns did not establish an arch connection with the walls of the madrasa cells.
It is stated that the cells measure approximately 2.95 × 2.95 meters and that the wall thickness is given as approximately 0.80 meters.
It is recorded that the cells contain fireplaces and niches, that lower and upper windows were opened in the walls, and that the number of windows increases in the corner cells.
The classroom/Dar al-Qurra unit is given as approximately 7 × 7 meters; it is stated that it has a multi-window arrangement, with 16 windows in total on lower and upper levels, and that its blind dome sits on an octagonal drum.
It has been assessed that the wall masonry of the madrasa was constructed with the technique of “one course of cut stone and three courses of brick with tie beams,” and that material integrity was especially observed on the facade facing the sea.