Solak Sinan Camii

Have you ever heard of a mosque named after a left-handed architect? Right here in Üsküdar, nestled between Selami Ali Caddesi and Tophanelioğlu Sokak, stands the Solak Sinan Camii. Solak Sinan, meaning “Left-handed Sinan,” wasn’t *the* famous Mimar Sinan, but another architect of considerable skill. He completed this mosque, the Solak Sinan Camii, in 1548. The mosque’s walls are built of sturdy stone, supporting a wooden roof. A brick minaret reaches towards the sky, now capped with cement. Inside the Solak Sinan Camii, you’ll find a women’s gallery resting on two wooden columns. The wooden minbar is quite small, a detail you might miss if you’re not looking closely. The mihrab is decorated with Çanakkale ceramic tiles. Next to the mihrab, a unique feature sets this mosque apart. It’s a tile panel depicting the Kaaba in Mecca. Solak Sinan Camii is the only mosque in Üsküdar with this imagery. Just outside the Solak Sinan Camii, you’ll find a small, somewhat neglected cemetery. Sinan himself is buried here. His grave is enclosed by a simple wooden fence. At the head of the grave, you’ll see a round, granite column without any inscription. At the foot of the grave stands a rough, square column of porous stone. This cemetery also holds the grave of Sinan’s daughter, dating back to 1563. Another grave, with swirling decorations, is believed to belong to his son, although the date is unclear. A nearby fountain, built in 1728 by Hacî Halil Efendi, adds a touch of history to this tranquil corner of Üsküdar. Solak Sinan even ensured a water supply for his mosque, bringing water down from Bağlarbaşı along Selami Ali Caddesi. The Solak Sinan Camii may not be as grand as some of Istanbul’s imperial mosques, but its story is a testament to the rich tapestry of architectural and human history woven into the fabric of this city.