The Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque, located in the Kadırga district of Istanbul, was designed and built by the master Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan between 1571 and 1572. Commissioned by Esmahan Sultan, the wife of Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, the mosque stands as one of Sinan’s most refined and harmonious works.

 Historical Background

Sokollu Mehmed Pasha served as Grand Vizier under Süleyman the Magnificent, Selim II, and Murad III, making him one of the most influential statesmen of the Ottoman Empire.
His close relationship with Mimar Sinan resulted in the construction of several mosques bearing his name, located in Kadırga, Azapkapı, and Lüleburgaz.
Among these, the Kadırga Mosque is renowned for its elegance, proportional perfection, and spiritual harmony.

 Architectural Design

The mosque is built on a square plan topped with a central dome supported by four semi-domes, a hallmark of Ottoman classical architecture.
The dome, approximately 13 meters in diameter and 22 meters in height, creates a spacious and luminous interior, enhanced by Sinan’s strategic use of windows that allow soft daylight to flow in.

The walls are adorned with İznik tiles, marble panels, and calligraphic inscriptions in gold leaf, creating a mesmerizing visual balance between geometry and artistry.

 Decoration and Materials

Above the mihrab lies a sacred black stone, believed to have been brought from the Kaaba in Mecca.
Some accounts suggest that stones from Medina, Jerusalem, and Mecca were also incorporated into the structure.
The minbar, made of white marble, features exquisite geometric and floral carvings that exemplify Ottoman craftsmanship at its peak.

 Mosque Complex

The mosque was designed as part of a külliye (religious complex), which includes a madrasah, tekke (dervish lodge), tomb, ablution fountain, and courtyard.
The octagonal fountain in the center of the courtyard, supported by slender columns, reflects Sinan’s elegant sense of symmetry and proportion.

 Today

Today, the Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque remains a peaceful sanctuary and a testament to Mimar Sinan’s genius.
It attracts visitors from around the world who come to admire its spiritual ambiance, artistic beauty, and architectural perfection, standing as one of the finest achievements of Ottoman architecture.