“Another fountain? Really?” I hear you ask. But wait. This isn’t just any fountain. This marks our arrival at the So\u011fan A\u011fa Cami.
Let’s step closer to the So\u011fan A\u011fa Cami. It is tucked away in the Sara\u00e7 \u0130shak neighborhood of Fatih. The So\u011fan A\u011fa Cami stands as a testament to time and devotion.
Imagine Istanbul in the early 16th century. Sultan Beyaz\u0131t II ruled. Sinan A\u011fa, the Sultan’s head of the onion keepers, decided to build a house of worship. Yes, you heard right, head of the onion keepers. It is believed to be before 1504, because there was already a foundation mentioned for the mosque in 1504.
The So\u011fan A\u011fa Cami’s history is layered like an onion. The mosque suffered a fire in 1911. It was rebuilt in 1912. Neglect led to further disrepair. Fortunately, it was rebuilt again in 1997. Each rebuilding reflects the community’s commitment to preserving its heritage.
Notice the small courtyard. To the right stands a minaret of cut stone with a single balcony. This is where the call to prayer echoes. You can also see restrooms and ablution facilities near the southern courtyard wall.
Inside the So\u011fan A\u011fa Cami, the mihrab shines with its tilework. The minbar and kürsü are crafted from wood. The walls are covered in tiles up to the height of the lower windows. There is no dedicated last congregation area here. As you enter, you will see wooden latticework on the right and left. These mark the spaces for the muezzins. A wooden staircase on the right leads to the upper gallery. The upper parts of the ceiling and walls are plastered with cement. The So\u011fan A\u011fa Cami is topped with a tiled roof.
Two modern fountains adorn the mosque’s exterior. These were built as charitable acts. But they stand in stark contrast to the historical architecture.
The So\u011fan A\u011fa Cami is a place of peace. It connects us to centuries of Istanbul’s past. As we leave, remember the onion keeper’s legacy.