Journey back to 1571. Right here before us stands the Kürkçübaşı Ahmet Şemsettin Cami. This mosque carries a tale of faith and time.
The Kürkçübaşı Ahmet Şemsettin Cami was built by Ahmet Bey. He was the chief furrier of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. Its architecture reflects the era it was built in. The mosque’s minaret features a unique sundial. It was crafted by Mehmet b. Ebul Kasım. He was also known as Endülüsi.
Originally, the Kürkçübaşı Ahmet Şemsettin Cami had a dome. Over time it was replaced with a wooden roof. The mosque’s courtyard is entered through two gates. The left gate leads to the restrooms. The right gate opens to a garden. This garden extends to a cemetery.
Notice the four columns at the entrance. Their capitals showcase Corinthian style. Inside, the mosque has wooden balconies. These are for the muezzins and women. The walls are adorned with beautiful İznik tiles.
The Kürkçübaşı Ahmet Şemsettin Cami’s minaret stands to the right. It has a square base. A beautiful sundial is embedded on the minaret wall. The courtyard’s gate features an inscription. It is the word “Besmele” written by calligrapher Halim Efendi. Inside, large tiles display the names of Allah, Muhammad and the four caliphs.
In 1892, a fire damaged the Kürkçübaşı Ahmet Şemsettin Cami. A project to rebuild it was drawn in 1894. But the great earthquake of 1894 destroyed many mosques. The project was not implemented. In 2017, İbrahim Çetin revived the mosque. He followed the 1894 project.
The Kürkçübaşı Ahmet Şemsettin Cami stands as a testament to history. It reflects the devotion of those who built and rebuilt it. As you leave take a moment to appreciate its story. This is a story etched in stone and wood.