Atik Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Medieval mosque in Ayvansaray, Istanbul, Turkey.
Atik Mustafa Pasha Mosque is a former Byzantine church building in Istanbul with a square layout and a low dome. The structure combines Byzantine and Islamic architectural features under a brick roof.
The building was first constructed as a Byzantine church in 1059 and served that purpose for several centuries. Later it was repurposed as a mosque in the early 1500s under Ottoman influence.
The building is named after the Grand Vizier who converted it to a mosque, blending Byzantine mosaics with Islamic use. Visitors can see how two religions shaped the same space over time and left their marks behind.
The building sits near Istanbul's city walls and is relatively easy to reach for those exploring the historic quarter. Visitors should be aware that this is an active place of worship and respectful behavior is expected.
During restoration work, an ancient opus sectile floor was uncovered beneath the floor level and is now protected by a glass walkway. This hidden layer reveals how valuable buried traces can be.
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