Alvarlızade Camii

Did the name Altunizade ring a bell? Here at the Altunizade Camii, you’re standing before a mosque commissioned by a man of the same name. Altunizade Ismail Zuhti Pasha, a prominent figure of the 19th century, rests in the mosque’s courtyard. The Altunizade Camii, completed in 1865, stands as a testament to late Ottoman architecture. It’s believed to be one of the last examples of this style in Istanbul’s Anatolian side. Imagine this area bustling with activity. The mosque was once the heart of a külliye, a social complex. It included an infant school, a Turkish bath, a time-keeping office for prayer times, a fountain, lodgings for the religious staff, a bakery, and shops. While most of the complex is gone, some shops still echo the past. The Altunizade Camii’s architecture is intriguing. Large windows hint at Baroque Revival influences, a unique touch in mosque design. Step into the courtyard. Notice the three gates and inscriptions above. Another inscription faces Mecca. Inside, the narthex, a covered area, leads into the main sanctuary through three doors. A small mihrab in the narthex allows for prayer even when the main area is closed. The main sanctuary is covered by a single dome. This dome rests on four arches, supported by columns in the mosque’s corners. Look up at the dome’s intricate design, sliced into 16 zones, with a blue center highlighting a verse from the Quran. Observe the marble minbar, shaped like a drinking glass, a style also seen in the Hirka-i Serif Mosque. The Altunizade Camii also has a single minaret, rising from a square base. Its stone spire, a departure from traditional lead-covered spires, is shaped like a grand vizier’s turban. The star decorations mid-minaret add a final flourish. The Altunizade Camii remains remarkably well-preserved. It offers a glimpse into a period of Ottoman history when architectural styles were evolving, blending tradition with new influences.