Sokollu, Mehmed Pasa born 1505, Sokol, Bosnia, Ottoman Empire died Oct. 11/12, 1579, Constantinople [now Istanbul, Turkey] Ottoman grand vizier (chief minister) from June 1565, under the sultans Süleyman the Magnificent and Selim II, and perhaps the real ruler of the empire until the death of Selim in 1574. During his tenure, a war was fought with Venice (1570-73), in which the Ottoman navy was defeated in the famous Battle of Lepanto (Oct. 7, 1571), but ultimately the empire secured its war aim-the acquisition of Cyprus from the Venetians. Recruited into Ottoman service through the child-tribute (devsirme) levied in the Balkans, Sokollu rose to the rank of high admiral of the fleet (1546) and later was governor-general (beylerbeyi) of Rumelia. He commanded the forces of Selim during the conflict (1559-61) between Selim and Bayezid, sons of Süleyman, over the succession to the throne, and he married (1562) a daughter of the victorious Selim. As grand vizier he favoured peace, opposing Ottoman entry into war with Venice and with Iran (1578). After Selim's death, Sokollu lost much of his power and, having made a number of enemies, was assassinated.

Sokollu Pasa Mosque

The 16th century Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque built in an awkwardly shaped plot on a steeply sloping hill near Sultanahmet is one of the most beautiful examples of classical Turkish architecture and a masterpiece of the architect Sinan. Inside, breathtaking blues, greens, purples and reds color the elegant designs of the lznik tiles.

Walls of glass fill the four immense arches that support the central dome at the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque inside the Edirne gate of the old city walls. One hundred and sixty-one windows illuminate this mosque, built by Sinan for Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Suleyman the Magnificent, in 1555 Interior shot of the minbar (pulpit) and mihrab. The mihrab is a niche in the wall indicating qibla, the direction of prayer, towards the Ka'aba in Mecca (Makkah), Saudi Arabia. This mosque competes with Rustem Pasa Mosque (Sinan, Istanbul, 1561) and Sultan Ahmet Mosque (a.k.a. Blue Mosque, near by, 1609) for its use of Isnik ceramic tile mosaics. What you see here around the Mihrab is considered by some to be the finest example. The mosaics contain a floral pattern (commonly stylized tulips) and Arabic or Kufic inscriptions. Inscriptions are used the way Christians might use depictions of God or man, which is forbidden by Islam. All those lightbulbs use to be oil lamps, but that would damage the craftsmanship let alone your lungs.

Küçük Ayasofya Mah. Şehit Mehmet Paşa Sk. No:5/7 34400 Sultanahmet-Istanbul/Turkey Phone: +90 212 5181790-91-92 Fax: +90 212 5181793