Cenabi Ahmet Paşa Mosque

Cenabi Ahmed Paşa Mosque; it is a mosque located in the Altındağ district of Ankara.

History

According to the information in its book, the mosque, completed in 1565, was built in the name of Cenabi Ahmed Paşa, one of the viziers of Suleiman the Magnificent. It underwent repairs in 1887, 1936, 1938, 1959, 1992 and finally in 2011. On 14 October 1972 it was registered by the High Council of Antiquities and Monuments.

Architecture

Since its name appears in Tezkiret-ül Bünyan, the mosque is presumed to have been designed by Mimar Sinan; it has a single minaret and a total of four domes, one of which is central. Architecturally, it shows great similarity to the other three-eyed domed mosques of the artist. It was built with a rubble stone bearing system and Ankara stone was used as the main material. The building, reflecting the characteristics of classical Ottoman architecture, has a square plan and the last prayer space is open on the sides, surrounded at the front by three large arches. On these arches there are three lead‑covered domes. No spolia material was used; it was entirely constructed of finely cut stone. Although it was subjected to minor changes during the renovation works, its originality has been largely preserved overall.

Inside, the mihrab, minbar and entrance door are made of white marble and are quite simple. The main walls have 32 pointed arches, and the drum where the dome sits has 16 windows. The mihrab is animated with crown decorations and penwork was used on surfaces such as the interior of the dome. Together with the tomb and cemetery area located on the same land as the mosque, it forms a complex. It is thought that a now‑lost dervish lodge, fountain and bath existed in the immediate vicinity and that the area was organized according to the complex concept.