Beyt-i Hâdî and Câmi‘-i Ümmet: A Study on Mehmed Aga Mosque and Its Tiles

Özet

Abstract: The mosque, built by Davud Aga the Architect in 994/1585-1586 in Carsamba district (Çihârşenbih Pazarı) of Fatih, Istanbul, is in the same complex with a madrasah, a lodge, a bath, fountains, and a tomb. Today, the bath, fountains, and the tomb, along with the mosque, survive; in fact, the structure is characterized as the first complex that a royal master ordered to be built and, addedly, in Istanbul. The overlord of the complex, Mehmed Aga, had been admitted to Prince Selim’s (Selim II) palace in his early ages; during Murad III’s reign, he was the Master of Darussaade and the Custodian of Evkāf-ı Haremeyn and Selâtin Waqfs. Leaving many charities and a relatively respectable reputation, in 999/1585, he passed away - reh-revân-ı dârü’l-me’âd olmağın (set out for the land of hereafter) - and was buried in his tomb located in the mosque yard. Charities by Mehmed Aga were listed in two separate foundation documents dated 1582 and 1591. The second document has the list of all his donations. The Mehmed Aga Mosque, built by Davud Aga, an apprentice of Sinan the Architect, when Sinan, the head architect, was away performing his pilgrimage, features qualities compatible, with its location, layout, and tiles, to those in a vizir mosque. Epigraphs in the narthex and on window-frontals in the harem, in addition to the circular ones on the pendants, and the tiles covering the protruding altar from one end to the other, were made in Nicaea in the final 16th century quarter. This study examines Mehmed Aga Mosque tiles, attracting attention through their classical style, colors, and the artistic design visage, in relation to the other structures of the period.