Şemsi Ahmed Paşa Mosque

Istanbul


This charming mosque complex on the waterfront was designed by Mimar Sinan and built in 1580 for one of Süleyman the Magnificent's grand viziers, Şemsi Ahmed Paşa. It is modest in size and decoration, reflecting the fact that its benefactor (whose tomb has an opening into the mosque) only occupied the position of grand vizier for a couple of months.

The çay bahçesis (tea gardens) next to the mosque have wonderful water views.

Transportation

  • metro: Üsküdar
  • ferry: Üsküdar

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Istanbul attractions

1. Yeni Valide Mosque

0.24 MILES

Unusual due to the striking 'birdcage' tomb in its overgrown garden, this mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet III between 1708 and 1710 for his mother,…

2. Ayazma Mosque

0.25 MILES

One of the most prominent sights on the Üsküdar skyline, this baroque-style mosque was built in 1760–61 by order of Sultan Mustafa III. At the time of…

3. Mihrimah Sultan Mosque

0.27 MILES

Sometimes called the İskele (Dock) Camii, this mosque was designed by Mimar Sinan for Süleyman the Magnificent's daughter Mihrimah. Built between 1547 and…

4. Fish Market

0.29 MILES

Üsküdar's fish market is close to the iskele (dock), at the centre of a bustling shopping precinct. Shops sell fruit, vegetables, dried nuts, pickles and…

5. Ahmediye Mosque

0.48 MILES

Eminzade Hacı Ahmet Paşa, comptroller of the Arsenal under Ahmet III, commissioned this mosque and attached medrese in 1722. Its unusual design features a…

6. Kız Kulesi

0.49 MILES

İstanbul is a maritime city, so it's appropriate that one of its most distinctive landmarks is on the water. The tower, which has an observation deck,…

7. Atik Valide Mosque

0.84 MILES

This is one of the two great İstanbul mosque complexes designed by Mimar Sinan. Though not as spectacular as the Süleymaniye, it was designed to a similar…

8. Fethi Ahmed Paşa Yalı

1.02 MILES

A wide white building with a red-tiled roof, this yalı was built in the late 18th century. Composer Franz Liszt stayed in it during his visits to the city.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "turkey/istanbul/uskudar/attractions/semsi-ahmed-pasa-mosque/a/poi-sig/1096056/1324702",
      "destination": "Istanbul",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Türkiye",
      "city": "Istanbul",
      "position": "superzone"
    }