Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque
A 16th-century mosque by Mimar Sinan with a stunning interior covered in İznik tiles and containing fragments of the Kaaba stone. Tucked away in Kadırga, it’s quieter than the big-name sights.
Jointly commissioned by Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha and his wife Ismihan Sultan, this mosque was designed by Mimar Sinan and completed in 1571/2. It sits in the Kadırga neighborhood, slightly removed from Sultanahmet’s crowds, and remains an active place of worship. Inside, the walls are covered with some of the finest İznik tiles in Istanbul—deep blues, turquoise, and floral patterns that show the 16th-century craft at its peak. A small fragment of the Kaaba stone is embedded in the mihrab, which you can spot if you look closely. Because it’s not on the main tourist trail, you’ll often have the space almost to yourself, especially on weekday mornings.
“For a Mimar Sinan interior drenched in İznik tiles and a tiny piece of the Kaaba, without the crowds.”
Weekday mornings are quiet, and the caretaker will usually point out the Kaaba stone fragment if you ask.
Good to know
- Is Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque free to visit?
- Free. İznik-tiled interior with Kaaba stone fragments; outside prayer times
- How long should you spend at Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque?
- ~30 min
- When is the best time to visit Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque?
- Morning
- Is there a dress code at Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque?
- Headscarf required. Scarves provided at the entrance. Closed to tourists during the five daily prayer times, especially on Fridays.
