Topçu Esetağa Mosque
Changes After Its Construction:
- There is an inscription stating that it was repaired in 1850.
- The mosque has undergone repairs at various periods and has lost most of its original architectural features during this period.
Prominent Features:
- In the garden of the mosque, there are the graves of Topçubaşı Esat Agha and his son from Ni’mel Ceyş*. It is also stated that the area where the mosque was built was an area where Mehmed the Conqueror’s headquarters were established and approximately 5,000 soldiers were stationed during the conquest of Istanbul.
- However, in the work Hadikatü’l-Cevâmî, it is mentioned that the building was built by Esat Agha, who served as Chief of Artillery during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. There is some doubt about the date of the building, but it is generally accepted that it was built during the Conquest of Istanbul.
- The people gave the nickname Topçubaşı Esat Agha, who is buried in the grave in the mosque garden, as Topçu Dede.
- The mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Istanbul and one of the rare structures dating back to the pre-conquest period. However, due to restorations over time, no traces of its original architectural features remain.
*Ni’mel Ceyş is the title given to the soldiers who participated in the Conquest of Istanbul.
