Imagine Hürrem Çavuş, a sergeant of the Imperial Council, standing right where you are. He envisioned a place of worship. This vision materialized into the Hürrem Çavuş Cami.
Welcome to the Hürrem Çavuş Cami. This mosque stands in Istanbul’s Fatih district. It’s located in the Hırka-i Şerif neighborhood on Keçeciler Street.
Hürrem Çavuş commissioned the mosque. The famous architect Mimar Sinan built it in 1560. Mimar Sinan was a prolific architect. He left his mark all over Istanbul. The Hürrem Çavuş Cami is one example of his work.
The Hürrem Çavuş Cami has undergone several repairs. It was renovated in 1844 and 1901. More recently, it was repaired in 2000.
Notice the mosque’s structure. Its walls are a mix of stone and brick. It features a sakifli design and two stories. The entrance has a tiled roof. It is supported by two wooden pillars. The minaret’s base is embedded in the wall to the right. The ceiling inside is made of wood.
Take note of the eastern side of the Hürrem Çavuş Cami. It features a hazire, or small cemetery. A school and fountain once stood here. These are no longer present today.
The courtyard is surrounded by a wall. It is about two meters high with iron bars. Three large old trees stand within the courtyard. The courtyard is paved with marble. You will find toilets and a fountain to the right. The mosque and hazire are adjacent to each other.
The exterior of the Hürrem Çavuş Cami is brown wood. The windows are small. Upon entering the courtyard, stairs to the women’s section are on the right. The entrance to the main hall is framed in stone.
Inside, the rectangular hall has upper windows. They are fixed with plaster grids. The lower windows open and are made of wood. The hall measures six by twelve meters. It is rectangular in shape relative to the qibla.
Look up. A large chandelier hangs from the ceiling. There are also three smaller ones. The mihrab has stalactite decorations. Two candle holders with globe lamps flank it. The kürsü, or pulpit, is attached to the left corner. It includes stairs. The walls are white. The ceiling is pink and white.
Behind the kürsü, the Yasin script is written in 300-point font on a rug. Sacred names are written on the walls. They are in white script on a green background. Bookcases are embedded in the walls between the windows. To the right of the entrance is the muezzin’s place. On the left are stairs leading to the upper floor.
Hürrem Çavuş himself is buried in the courtyard. You can also find the tombs of Abdurrahman Effendi and Çelebi Mehmet Effendi here. They were both pulpit sheikhs.
The Hürrem Çavuş Cami has stood the test of time. It serves as a reminder of Istanbul’s rich history. It also shows the architectural talent of Mimar Sinan. Take a moment to appreciate this beautiful mosque.