Piri Mehmet Pasha Mosque

Piri Mehmet Pasha Mosque is located in Fatih district of Istanbul, close to the Zeyrek Cistern. It was built by the Grand Vizier Piri Mehmet Pasha, one of the prominent bureaucrats of the 16th century in the Ottoman Empire. It is also known as the Cold Well Mosque.

The monument was extensively reconstructed in 2013, including its interior and tile roof. Therefore, the mihrab, pulpit, preaching rostrum and, the women's section are not original. The ceiling is made of wood as it was in its original form. It has a single balcony minaret.

Piri Mehmet Pasha grew up in Amasya, studied in a madrasah, worked as a judge, and started his career as a bureaucrat at the Anatolian Financial Office. In the Ottoman Empire’s battle towards to east, he participated in the Battle of Çaldıran and grabbed the attention of Sultan Selim the Resolute with his words in the war assembly. After the expedition, he is made a vizier in 1514. Four years later, he was appointed to the grand vizier until his retirement in 1523.

During his time, the conquests of Belgrade and Rhodes took place. It is known that he passed away in his farm in Silivri in 1532, where he was retreating. His tomb is next to the mosque he built in Silivri. He was known as a serious, cautious, and powerful man. He has written poems. In addition to the Piri Mehmet Pasha Mosque, he has left many auspicious works behind.