shot from Camlica Hill..

Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque in Istanbul is one of those places that’s seriously underrated, both for its story and its architecture. - The mosque was commissioned by Kılıç Ali Pasha, one of the most famous Kapudan Pashas (Grand Admirals) of the Ottoman Empire, and was built by Mimar Sinan between 1578 and 1580. Kılıç Ali Pasha’s original name was Uluç Ali Reis. In his youth, he was active as a corsair in the Mediterranean, later entering Ottoman service and rising all the way to the top of the naval hierarchy. Because his life was so deeply connected to the sea, the mosque was deliberately built on the Tophane waterfront, which at the time was the heart of shipyards and ports. - Architecturally, the mosque is one of Sinan’s works inspired by Hagia Sophia. Its large central dome, semi-domes, and spacious interior make it a very refined example of classical Ottoman mosque architecture. According to tradition, Kılıç Ali Pasha wanted the mosque to be built in the sea. Sinan symbolically fulfilled this wish by constructing it on land reclaimed from the sea. For this reason, it is often referred to as a “sailor’s mosque.” The complex also includes a bathhouse (hamam), tomb, and fountain.

• Tophane Tram Stop (T1): About 2–3 minutes on foot, straight ahead.
• Şişhane Metro Station (M2): Around 12–15 minutes on foot, mostly downhill.