Cağaloğlu Rüstem Pasha Mosque

Rüstem Paşa Mosque or Cağaloğlu Rüstem Paşa Mosque, a historic Ottoman mosque originally built in the 17th century located within the boundaries of the Büyükkarıştıran settlement of Lüleburgaz district, Kırklareli province. It was destroyed during the Balkan Wars and rebuilt in 1937.

History

Although it is stated that it was built in the 16th century, the mosque’s foundation deed indicates that it was constructed in the early 17th century. The mosque, repaired in the mid‑19th century, was destroyed during the Balkan Wars and rebuilt in 1937 with its existing stones. It is noted that during this reconstruction the original form of its minaret was taken into account and rebuilt. In 1986 a single‑storey additional prayer hall was added to the structure. In the 2000s the building’s roof and interior were completely renovated.

The mosque, registered under the name Cağaloğlu Rüstem Paşa Foundation, was recorded by the Edirne Cultural Heritage Protection Regional Board Directorate on 09.08.2021 by decision number 7701.

Architecture

The sanctuary part of the building has a square plan and, to its north, there is an original two‑storey prayer hall. In its original state the mosque was covered by a roof with a lead‑covered wooden support, while today it is covered by a tiled broken‑roof. Its minaret, known to have had a brick body at the time of the first construction, was rebuilt in stone at the southeast corner of the mosque during the 1937 reconstruction. Sources state that the prayer hall has eaves, stone walls and floors, a wooden muezzin mahfil, and eight windows.