Person in the Tomb
Of Croatian origin, Siyavuş Pasha was a prominent statesman who served three separate terms as grand vizier in the Ottoman Empire.
By marrying Fatma Sultan, daughter of Sultan Selim II, he secured a powerful position within the court.
Educated in the Enderun Palace School, he held posts such as Agha of the Janissaries and Beylerbey (governor-general) of Rumelia, and as grand vizier he took part in many pivotal decisions of Ottoman administration.
He sponsored numerous charitable works—mosques, pavilions, fountains, and madrasas—in Istanbul and across various regions of the empire.
About the Mausoleum
- Year Built
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Featured Highlights
The tomb is sixteen-sided on the exterior and octagonal on the interior.
Built of finely cut ashlar, it is richly embellished with tiles, painted ornament (kalem işi), and woodcarving.
The mausoleum has a vaulted, porticoed entrance; the four-column, domed porch is distinguished by capitals intricately carved with muqarnas.
Inside, a tile frieze inscribed with the Ayat al-Kursi encircles the walls.
The tile panels flanking the doorway, the window lunettes, the dome’s interior painting, and the tile medallions on the pendentives are among the era’s finest examples.
Within stand one large wooden coffin belonging to Siyavuş Pasha and ten smaller coffins for his wife and children.
Immediately beside the türbe, facing the street, is a fountain dated 1011 AH (1602 CE), the year of the Pasha’s death.
