Davud Paşa Mosque

Davud Paşa Mosque (or Davut Paşa Mosque), a historic place of worship located in the neighborhood named after it between the Cerrahpaşa and Kocamustafapaşa quarters in the Fatih district of Istanbul, was commissioned by Grand Vizier Koca Davud Paşa of the reign of Bayezid II in 1485.

The building, which carries the characteristic features of early Ottoman architecture, is one of the last and most advanced examples of reverse‑T‑plan mosques with a “tabhane” (prayer hall with a corner) built within the walls after the conquest of Istanbul.

History

The mosque and its complex were built in Hijri year 890 (AD 1485) by Koca Davud Paşa, vizier of Bayezid II. In the contemporary source Âşıkpaşazâde Tarihi, it is recorded that the pasha erected a soup kitchen and a great mosque, and also brought “delicate water” to the area. In the 1546 Istanbul Foundations Survey Register, the location of the structure is described as “near the Obelisk, in Avratpazarı,” referring to the Arcadius Column (Obelisk), of which only the base remains today.

The building has been significantly affected by major earthquakes and fires that Istanbul has experienced throughout history:

1648 Earthquake: The mosque and complex buildings were damaged, and records indicate that the dome and walls of the mihrab niche and the arches of the last prayer hall required repair.

1766 Earthquake: The structure, damaged in the great Istanbul earthquake, was repaired in 1766‑1767 under the supervision of the chief imperial architect Tahir Ağa. It is thought that the minaret was rebuilt during this repair.

1782 Fire: The mosque and its surroundings were damaged in the great fire that devastated the city.

1894 Earthquake: The last prayer hall of the mosque was completely destroyed in this earthquake and remained in ruins for many years.

The building entered a comprehensive restoration process during the Republican period. In the repairs carried out by Ekrem Hakkı Ayverdi between 1945 and 1948, the collapsed domes of the last prayer hall were rebuilt according to the original, the mihrab was renewed, and reinforced concrete reinforcements were added. In the 1960s the mosque’s ablution fountain, which was again handled by the General Directorate of Foundations, was revived in the 1980s with public assistance.

Plan and exterior structure

Davud Paşa Mosque is one of the most mature applications in Istanbul of the “reverse T” or “cornered” mosque plan scheme, with “tabhane” rooms for traveling dervishes or guests located beside the main worship space. The building was constructed entirely of cut limestone and has a simple, solemn appearance.

The main prayer hall of the mosque is covered by a large dome of approximately 18.30 meters in diameter. Access to the dome is provided by richly muqarnas‑decorated trompes at the corners. The mihrab projects outward from the main mass of the building as a five‑sided protrusion and is covered by a half‑dome.

The tabhane rooms on the side wings are each covered by a dome. The parts of these rooms that face the last prayer hall are actually open to the outside as arched eyvans, reflecting a characteristic feature of 15th‑century architecture.

Last prayer hall

The last prayer hall at the entrance of the building consists of a five‑dome revak resting on six granite columns. The column capitals are of the baklava type. This section, which collapsed in the 1894 earthquake, remained covered with a wooden roof until the restoration of the 1940s, after which it was rebuilt in brick in accordance with the original.

The inscription in Arabic on the gate of Taçkapı, consisting of four verses, is the work of the famous calligrapher Şeyh Hamdullah. Although it is claimed that the text of the inscription belongs to Kemalpaşazade, some sources view this with suspicion.

Interior and decorations

The interior of the mosque is quite plain. During the repairs in 1945, valuable 15th‑century painted decorations and a band of inscription were uncovered beneath the plaster. In these decorations, dominated by red, dark green and yellow, Ottoman motifs, palmettes and the style of hattâi were observed. However, most of these early period decorations are today either still beneath the plaster or have disappeared over time.

The mihrab and minbar reflect the classical period style, but it is known that the mihrab was rebuilt during the 1948 restoration.

Minaret

The single‑shaped minaret located at the right side of the mosque combines the style of the period in which the building was erected in the 15th century with later periods. Its balcony and base are decorated with broad baklava motifs typical of the early period, while the shaft is slimmer. The fact that the shaft of the minaret was renewed after the 1766 earthquake, and the distinctive arch detail at the point where it joins the main body of the mosque, indicate its architectural style.

Complex structures

The mosque forms the core of a complex. The other components of the complex are as follows:

Madrasa: It is located to the northeast of the mosque, outside the courtyard wall. In the style of a classical Ottoman madrasa, it consists of 16 cells and a lecture hall arranged around a courtyard with a "U"-shaped portico. The columns and capitals of the madrasa use reclaimed materials from the Byzantine period. The building, which remained neglected for a long time and was used for purposes other than its intended one, is important as one of the oldest madrasas in Istanbul.

Tomb: The octagonal-plan, cut-stone tomb located on the qibla side (rear) of the mosque is the mausoleum of the complex's founder Koca Davud Paşa. At the entrance of the tomb there is a two-column portico. The inscription on the door arch mentions the name "Derviş Davud".

Fountain: The fountain outside the courtyard gate, with its inscription dated 1485, holds the distinction of being the oldest dated Turkish fountain in Istanbul. It is made of cut stone, a simple structure with a pointed arch.

School and Soup Kitchen: The elementary school and soup kitchen (imaret) known to belong to the complex have not survived to the present day. Later, the present school building was constructed on the site where the school once stood.