"Rüstem Pasha Camii (Mosque)" Istanbul Off The Beaten Path Tip by Durfun

A hidden gem for sure, this mosque is very pretty, both inside and outside. It's unique how there are decorative tiles on it's exterior, as you approach the prayer hall.

The tiles, made at the height of Iznik's supremacy, have a good deal of the famous red colour that was the envy of other tilemakers (blue, yellow, white and green were easy colours to produce, but red was extraordinarily difficult.)

This is the first example of the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan building a mosque to an octagonal plan.

Finding it is not easy, quite a task really, which makes your 'discovery' all the more worthwhile. A real treat to the senses.

Rüstem Pasha (1500-1561), a Bosnian by birth, was the son-in-law and a grand vezir of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566). Although competent, he is remembered in history for having plotted with Süleyman's wife, the famous Roxelana (Hürrem Sultan) to denounce Prince Mustafa, Süleyman's son and heir to the throne, as mastermind of an army plot to dethrone the sultan. Süleyman had Mustafa beheaded, which allowed Roxelana's son Prince Selim, an incompetent drunkard interested only in the pleasures of the harem, to succeed to the throne.

Although the pasha was among the wealthiest men in the Ottoman Empire at the height of its power and glory, as the sultan's humble servant, it was not Rüstem's place to build a grand mosque that might rival that of his imperial master. So he selected a site in the midst of the market, at the foot of the hill crowned by Süleyman's grand mosque, the Süleymaniye—Istanbul's largest.

Instead of size and grandeur, Rüstem sought exquisite artistic refinement, and that's what he got.

Make sure you avoid prayer time, as tourists are asked to leave during those periods. Any other time, admire it to your heart's content :)

DIRECTIONS:
The best way to visit the Rüstem Pasha Mosque is starting at the Grand Bazaar in Beyazit Square, continuing along Uzunçarsi Caddesi to the mosque.

Or from the Galata Bridge, head for the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar in Eminönü, continuing along Hasircilar Caddesi, then turn left (west).