Şemsi Pasha Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Üsküdar, Turkey
Description
Şemsi Pasha Mosque is a congregational mosque in Üsküdar on Istanbul's Asian shore, built from granite with a straightforward, compact plan. The structure features one dome overhead and nine large windows fitted with colored glass that flood the interior with daylight.
History
Imperial architect Mimar Sinan designed this mosque in 1581 for Grand Vizier Şemsi Pasha, creating one of the smaller commissions for a statesman of that rank in Istanbul. The grounds later received a madrasa with teaching spaces that underwent conversion in the 20th century.
Culture
The mosque remains an active place of worship integrated into daily neighborhood life. Its waterfront setting makes it a recognizable landmark for locals and visitors passing along the shore.
Practical
The building sits directly on the water with limited space around it, so it is accessible from the street above or from the waterside path below. Visitors should know this is an active place of worship, so the interior is open mainly at certain hours of the day.
Did you know?
The tomb chamber has an unusual arrangement extending toward the waterline with three windows overlooking the Bosphorus directly. This creates an uncommon link between the sacred space within and the moving waters beyond.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Istanbul).
Maiden's Tower
809 m
Uzbek Dervish Lodge
1.1 km
Atik Valide Mosque
1.3 km
Çinili Mosque
1.6 km
Fountain of Ahmed III
348 m
Ayazma Mosque
421 m
Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Mosque
483 m
Yeni Üsküdar Mosque
339 m
Rum Mehmed Pasha Mosque
150 m
Selman Ağa Mosque
389 m
Abdurrahman Ağa Mosque
1.1 km
Hacı Hesna Hatun Camii
693 m
Ahmet Çelebi Mosque
502 m
Salacak Fatih Mosque
622 m
Kurban Nasuh Baba Mosque
1.1 km
Aşçıbaşı Mosque
1.6 km
Şehzade Numan fountain
915 m
Tabaklar Mosque
1.2 km
Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Paşa Fountain
196 m
Cennet Efendi Turbe
467 m
Müderris Abdülbaki Efendi Mosque
771 m
Ahmediye Complex
761 m
Uçurtma Müzesi
274 m
Abbas Ağa Fountain
731 m
Hayrettin Çavuş Türbesi
913 m
Yedi Güzel Adam ve Öncüler Kütüphanesi
440 m
Wikidata Talks
702 m
Üsküdar Tekel Stage
1.1 km
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes