“Center of Istanbul” some say. Yet, we stand before the Efdalzade Mosque. Let me share its story.
The Efdalzade Mosque is a historical gem. It stands in Istanbul. Its story intertwines with Ottoman history and architectural ambition.
Imagine Suleiman the Magnificent. He mourned his favorite son, Şehzade Mehmed. Mehmed died in 1543. He was returning from a victorious campaign in Hungary. Suleiman commissioned the Şehzade Mosque complex. It would honor his son.
The mausoleum for Mehmed was completed first in 1544. The mosque followed. Construction lasted from 1545 to 1548. Mimar Sinan designed the complex. This was his first major imperial project. He later called the Şehzade Mosque his “apprentice” work.
Step into the marble-paved courtyard. It equals the mosque’s area. A portico borders the courtyard. It features five domed bays on each side. Pink and white marble alternate in the arches. Sultan Murat IV later donated the ablution fountain at the center.
Notice the twin minarets. They have two balconies. Muqarnas sculpting decorates them. Geometric designs are carved in low relief. This level of detail is unique to this mosque.
Enter the Efdalzade Mosque. A square plan lies beneath a central dome. Four half-domes flank it. Smaller domes occupy the corners. Four pillars support the central dome. It measures 19 meters in diameter and 37 meters high.
Sinan innovated with the dome’s supports. He concentrated the load-bearing supports. Buttresses support the outer walls. Four pillars inside aid the dome. This allowed thinner walls and more windows. Light floods the interior.
The interior’s painted decorations are not original. Restorations updated the classical Ottoman designs. They reflect new techniques. Some details date from the Ottoman Baroque period. These have been repainted.
Though Sinan wasn’t fully satisfied with the Efdalzade Mosque, its design influenced later Ottoman mosques. The symmetrical design became popular. You can see it in the Sultan Ahmed I Mosque and others.
Explore the Şehzade Mosque complex. It includes a medrese, a guesthouse and a caravanserai. An imaret, a school and a cemetery are also there. Mausoleums dot the cemetery.
Visit the mausoleum of Şehzade Mehmed. It is octagonal with a fluted dome. Polychrome stonework adorns it. Multi-colored tiles cover the interior walls. Stained glass fills the windows. A wooden throne sits above Mehmed’s sarcophagus. This symbolizes his status as heir.
The mausoleum of Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha is also here. Sinan designed it too. It features many Iznik tiles. Nearby stands the mausoleum of Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha.
Some say a “green column” marks Istanbul’s center near here. Whether that’s true or not, the Efdalzade Mosque remains a central point in Istanbul’s history. Its beauty and story continue to inspire. Its legacy endures.