Picture a 16th-century Istanbul kasapba\u015f\u0131 or head butcher, a man named Hac\u0131 Evhaddin. He decided to commission a mosque. That mosque stands before us now: Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii.
This beautiful mosque is located in the Yedikule neighborhood of Fatih. It carries with it a rich history. Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii was built in 1575. Hac\u0131 Evhaddin chose the famous architect Mimar Sinan for the job. Yes, the very same Mimar Sinan who designed the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne.
Hac\u0131 Evhaddin was not just any butcher. He was clearly a man of means and piety. He wanted to leave a lasting legacy. The Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii stands as a testament to his vision. The mosque even gave its name to the street and the surrounding neighborhood.
Legend says that Hac\u0131 Evhad, the butcher rests in the courtyard before mihrab.
Mimar Sinan designed Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii as a roofed mosque. It features a rectangular plan constructed of stone. The outer prayer area and the roof are crafted from wood. Look at the elegant minaret to the right of the Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii. It is made of cut küfeki stone and boasts a single balcony.
Inside Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii, notice the women’s and the muezzin’s galleries. The mihrab is made of plaster. The minbar and kürsü are wooden. Once, a tekke or dervish monastery shared the mosque’s name and fame. Seyyid Hüseyin Efendi, a prominent sheikh of the Hac\u0131 Evhad Tekke. He was also a preacher at the Süleymaniye Mosque.
Today, only one of the mosque’s three wells remains usable. Over the centuries, the Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii has undergone numerous repairs. Sultan Abdülmecid ordered a significant restoration in the 19th century. But disaster struck in 1920. A fire devastated the mosque leaving only its four walls standing. During this time, precious İznik tiles were stolen.
The Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii was restored between 1936 and 1943 and again in 1945 and 1956. Sadly the restoration didn’t fully restore the original design of the roof.
The courtyard of Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii provides a peaceful contrast to Istanbul’s bustle. Shaded by ancient trees, it offers a tranquil space for reflection. It is almost worth visiting the Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii just for this.
Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii resembles Mimar Sinan’s Ramazan Efendi Camii in Kocamustafapaşa. Both share a similar design reflecting Sinan’s architectural style. The inscription on the Hac\u0131 Evhaddin Camii celebrates its founder. It recognizes Hac\u0131 Evhad’s generosity.