Zal Mahmud Pasha Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Eyüp district, Istanbul, Turkey.
Zal Mahmud Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman congregational mosque in Istanbul's Eyüp district featuring a central dome and walls built from alternating layers of stone and brick. The structure displays the construction techniques typical of its period and shapes the local skyline with its distinctive form.
Imperial architect Mimar Sinan designed this mosque in 1577, with construction completed in 1590. It stands as one of the last major works of this renowned architect before his death, marking a mature phase of Ottoman building design.
The mosque displays traditional Iznik tiles surrounding the prayer niche, showing how Ottoman decorative arts were integrated into religious spaces. These patterned ceramics remain one of the first things visitors notice when entering.
The mosque welcomes visitors outside prayer times and sits in the popular Eyüp neighborhood along the Golden Horn waterfront. Dress modestly and maintain quiet behavior, as this remains an active place of worship.
The building was completed years after Mimar Sinan's death, with his successors carrying out his plans. This makes it a transitional work bridging the classical Ottoman period and what followed after.
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