Doesn’t Hoca Gıyasettin sound like a wise old scholar? Indeed, it is the name of this neighborhood in Istanbul. It is situated in the Fatih district on the European side of the city.
Hoca Gıyasettin is bordered by several other neighborhoods. To the south are Mollahüsrev and Süleymaniye. Hacıkadın lies to the west. Demirtaş is to the east. Yavuzsinan sits to the north. Let’s delve into the story of this small but historically rich area.
Hoca Gıyasettin’s history is intertwined with a man named Hoca Çelebi. He was also known as Hoca Gıyaseddin. Born in the late 15th or early 16th century, he commissioned the Hoca Gıyasettin Mosque. This act cemented his legacy in the area.
Hoca Gıyaseddin had a notable family connection. He was the grandson of Akşemseddin’s brother. Akşemseddin was a spiritual leader during the Conquest of Istanbul. Hoca Çelebi himself held important positions. He served as a professor in Eyüp. He was also the Mufti of Amasya. Later, he became a professor in Jerusalem.
The mosque he founded stands as a testament to his life. His gravestone is next to the mosque. It indicates that he died in 1517. The minbar of the mosque was a later addition. Darüssaade Ağası Beşir installed it.
The Hoca Gıyasettin Mosque underwent a restoration in 1994. The neighborhood bearing his name has seen population changes. In 2013, the population was estimated at 945. By 2017, it had decreased to 697. The count further declined to 495 by 2022.
Besides the Hoca Gıyasettin Mosque, the area has other historical sites. The Süleymaniye Tabhanesi Sarnıcı is a cistern. The Hazire-Mezarlık is a cemetery. There is also the Şahkulu Mektebi, a school.
The Yoğurtçuoğlu Sokağı Çeşmesi is another notable feature. It is a fountain. Vefa Kilise Camii Sebili, Rehabula Kadın Haziresi and Saray Bayezit Kabri are also located here. These sites add to the historical depth of Hoca Gıyasettin.
The neighborhood also includes Hacılar Çeşmesi and Küçükpazar Hamamı. The Atıf Efendi Kütüphanesi is a library. Lastly, there are the Destari Mustafa Paşa Çeşmesi and Ali Efendi Çeşmesi.
Hoca Gıyasettin may be small. However, its history and landmarks offer a glimpse into Istanbul’s past. The legacy of Hoca Çelebi lives on. His contributions to both religious life and education have left an indelible mark on this corner of Istanbul.