Excursion Route 6 - From Haseki to Topkapı

Haseki Sultan Complex, Ramazan Efendi Mosque, Hadım İbrahim Paşa Mosque, Kara Ahmet Paşa Complex, Şah Huban Hatun Tomb, Sultan Selim (I) Madrasa

To the southern part of the Historic Peninsula, the few works of architecture by Sinan that are spread in the area between Haseki and the city walls can be viewed in a single trip there.  They are easily accessible by public transportation.

Haseki Hürrem Sultan Complex Mosque

The Haseki Complex is Sinan’s very first accomplishment.  He built the structures that make up this complex when he was declared master builder of the Royal Ottoman Architectural Guild; they attest to his creativity even at the beginning of his career.  These buildings can be viewed only from the outside as the mosque is the only building in the complex that is still in use and can be visited.  At a later date, the mosque was doubled in size by adding one more domed structure to it.  We can observe traces from early Ottoman architecture in the details of the section that was originally built by Sinan.

You can then walk to the Ramazan Efendi Mosque from Haseki.  Even though the mosque may seem quite modest from the outside, as you enter inside, you will find yourself in an impressive space, covered with majestic Iznik tiles.  The marble minbar, as well as other architectural details, are also elaborate and built with care, as are the tiles that line interior walls.

The next stop will be at the Hadım Ibrahim Pasha Mosque and Tomb at Silivrikapı.  Of the complex Ibrahim Pasha had built while he was the Grand Vizier, only this monumental mosque and his open tomb remain.  Even though it is not one of Sinan’s large-scale mosques, the balanced proportions and details in the interior are quite impressive.

One can easily find the Kara Ahmet Pasha Complex using public transportation on Onuncu Yıl Avenue, which runs parallel to the city walls.  A ‘buildings trustee’ had the Complex built in the name of Kara Ahmet Pasha, who was an Albanian, after the fame he had acquired in military expeditions waned off, and he was deposed and killed.  Initially, the endowment was for its construction at the site of the Mihrimah Sultan Complex in Edirnekapı.  Upon Mihrimah Sultan’s stubborn insistence that this land be given to her for her own complex, Kara Ahmet Pasha’s complex  was finally built at Topkapı.  You can stop and rest in its large and well-kept courtyard or in the interior of the mosque decorated with painted tracery, taking-in the mastery of Sinan’s architecture, which still retains its original characteristics. 
 

Mosque courtyard at the Kara Ahmet Paşa Complex

After this complex, continue on with your tour by visiting the Shah Huban Hatun Tomb and the Madrasa of Selim I.  Walking down into the Historic Peninsula from Topkapı, along Vatan Avenue or Millet Avenue, these two buildings are located close to one another on Oğuzhan Avenue, which cuts across Vatan and Millet Avenues.  The madrasa is one of Sinan’s later period works and because it is now used as a hospital, it is always open to public.  The construction date of Shah Huban Hatun Tomb is unknown and it can only be viewed from the outside at this time.

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