This is the mosque with a central dome and a single minaret
that arises amidst the rows of shops and storehouses near the
Spice Bazaar. It creates a beautiful sight in the busiest commercial
center in the city, together with the Stileymaniye Mosque on
the slope behind. The architect Sinan built the mosque in 1561
for the Grand Vizier Riistem Pasa. Spiraling staircases go
up to the structure that is set above a row of shops. The interesting
courtyard is actually a small terrace covered by five small
domes.
The central dome rises atop four wall pillars and four columns,
two on each side. Over the corners of the square space are
four semidomes supporting the main dome. There are galleries
behind the columns on the sides. The facade and the small,
but attractive interior are decorated with the finest examples
of Iznik tiles. The geometrical and leaf and flower motifs
on the tiles give the interior a colorful flower garden appearance.
The embossed coral-red color was used only for a short time
in the 16th century.