Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Tophane, Turkey
The Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman prayer house in the Tophane neighborhood with a large central dome supported by stone columns. Multiple windows punctuate the walls and allow light to fill the prayer space.
The building was constructed between 1578 and 1580 by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan and commissioned by a high-ranking naval official. It was created during a period of prosperity under Sultan Selim II.
The interior displays traditional religious artwork with Quranic verses on tilework and elaborate calligraphy throughout the space. Visitors can observe how these decorative elements guide the prayer experience.
The building is located near the Tophane tram station and is easy to reach. Visitors should note that it functions as an active prayer space and respectful clothing is required.
The prayer house was originally built on an artificial island by the Bosphorus but now sits on land due to centuries of coastal reclamation. This transformation reveals how Istanbul's waterfront has shifted through human intervention.
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