İskender Pasha Mosque, Kanlıca

The İskender Pasha Mosque is a congregational mosque in Kanlıca situated beside a waterfront pier with masonry walls, a single minaret, and traditional Ottoman-era features. The structure displays characteristic architectural details of its period with carefully crafted proportions and ornamentation.

The mosque was built in 1559 by architect Mimar Sinan under commission from military judge Kazasker Gazi İskender Pasha during the Ottoman Empire's height. It arose in an era when Istanbul as imperial capital was sponsoring grand religious structures.

The mosque contains a muvakkithane, a dedicated room where timekeepers calculated the daily prayer schedule according to Islamic custom.

The mosque sits on Istanbul's Asian side in the Beykoz district and is most easily reached by ferry to Kanlıca Pier. Visitors will find the setting peaceful with water views across the Bosporus waterway.

The tomb of İskender Pasha and his son sits on the north side of the building, defying typical Ottoman burial customs. This uncommon placement makes the grave monument a noteworthy detail for observant visitors.

Location: Kanlıca

Inception: 1559

Architects: Mimar Sinan

GPS coordinates: 41.10002,29.06587

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00