Şemsi Ahmet Paşa Mosque and Shrine

The Şemsi Ahmet Paşa Mosque, which forms the center of the complex located in Üsküdar district on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, and the mausoleum nearby are among the historical values of the region. The mosque and the shrine, which are among the sine qua non for Ottoman complexes, have survived to this day in quite good condition.

The construction of the Shrine of Şemsi Ahmet Paşa with a rectangular plan was completed in 1580 next to the Şemsi Ahmet Paşa Mosque, which has its own unique place with its simple architecture. It is one of the classical Ottoman shrines. Its door with a round arch and its roof covered with a cavetto vault attract attention. It is recorded that the inscription on the door was broken beyond repair in the first half of the 1900s. There is only the Tomb of Şemsi Ahmet Pasha in the Shrine. It is known to have been extensively renovated in 1940.

Şemsi Ahmet Paşa was a valuable statesman who served as a vizier during the reign of two successive Ottoman Sultans Selim II and Sultan Murad III. He held important positions such as the Governor of Anatolia and Rumeli. In addition to the mosque and mausoleum, the Şemsi Ahmet Paşa complex, which was built shortly before his death in 1580, there was one madrasah and sibyan school, which were educational structures.