SEMSİ PASHA MOSQUE

Şemsi Paşa Camii / Mosque

It is a small complex consisting of a mosque, madrasa and tomb in the district named after itself on the coast of Üsküdar and was built by Mimar Sinan in 1580.  Former Beylerbeyi of Damascus Vizier Shamsi Ahmed Pasha commanded to build this mosque. 

Shamsi Pasha's tomb is adjacent to the left side of the mosque and faces the sea. There is water decoupling in the courtyard section between the mosque and the madrasa (college). This is the only example of all Sinan the architect’s works.

Because the mosque is close to the sea, in the weather of southwesters, the sea water that crosses the courtyard wall and enters the mosque through the windows is evacuated to the sea through this manhole. The courtyard of the mosque is in the L plan and there is a historical fountain water reservoir on the left at the entrance through the courtyard door. There are about 15 historical graves and stones between the mosque wall and the courtyard wall of the L-shaped decim. These graves were unearthed during the recent restoration. In addition, some historical marble stone items that were removed were installed on the walls and restored to a beautiful appearance.

This mosque is called “Kuşkonmaz”. Because the mosque is at a point where the Bosphorus opens to Marmara. Across it lies the Galata Bridge and the Golden Horn. So this point is where the three seas face and take their winds. No living being including humans will stand against the wind for a long time. Birds and other animals especially don't like the wind. In fact, if they stay too long, they'll die. Of course, no bird is put in the mosque in such a very windy place. That is why iti is called “Kuşkonmaz” or in English meaning no bird put.

To reach the mosque, you can reach the Üsküdar Square. After a little walk along the coast, you can see the mosque.