Rüstem Pasha Mosque, which is located in Tahtakale, Eminönü, is a 16th century Ottoman mosque. It is known to have the best examples of handmade İznik tiles, not only inside but outside the mosque as well.
The famous architect Mimar Sinan built it in 1561 by order of Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha. Different from other works of Mimar Sinan, it is very fancy. The feature which makes it fancy is undoubtedly the beautiful İznik tiles. This mosque is tiny because at that time it was impossible to build a mosque that might be a rival to the mosques dedicated to the sultans. Yet this mosque is impressive!
It is considered one of the most beautiful mosques in Turkey.
Eminönü is one of the most central districts of Istanbul. It is a 20-minute walk from Sultanahmet. There are buses from all over European Istanbul. Do not forget that Eminönü and Sirkeci are almost the same location when speaking about transportation, in case somebody mentions Sirkeci instead of Eminönü.
You can also take the ferry from almost all main points of Istanbul such as Beşiktaş, Üsküdar, or Kadıköy and get off at Eminönü port.
Rüstem Pasha Mosque on Istanbul Map
Opening Hours: Open daily from morning prayer to sunset. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer times (approx 20 minutes each). Friday prayers (12:00–13:15) are very crowded, visit before or after.
Admission: Free. Women should bring a scarf to cover their heads. Modest dress required (shoulders and knees covered). Shoes must be removed before entering (carry them in a plastic bag).
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings (09:30–11:00) are quietest. The afternoon light (14:00–16:00) streams through the windows and illuminates the tiles beautifully. This is the best time for photography.
How to find it: The mosque is tucked away on a raised platform above the streets of Tahtakale, near the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı). Look for a set of stone stairs leading up from Hasırcılar Caddesi (a street lined with shops selling textiles and leather). There is also an entrance from the Spice Bazaar's eastern side. Many tourists walk right past it, the exterior is unassuming, but once inside, the tiles will amaze you.
How much time to spend: 20-30 minutes to fully appreciate the tile work. The mosque is small but incredibly detailed.
Number of tiles: The mosque is covered with over 2,000 İznik tiles in about 50 different patterns. No two tile panels are exactly alike.
Colors: The tiles feature the famous İznik palette: turquoise, cobalt blue, coral red (unique to that period), green, and purple. The red was achieved using a special hematite-based technique that was lost and only recently rediscovered.
Designs: Tulips, carnations, hyacinths, roses, pomegranates, cypress trees, and geometric star patterns. Some tiles also depict the Kaaba in Mecca.
Historical note: Rüstem Pasha was known for his wealth and patronage of the arts. He commissioned the finest tiles from İznik's workshops at the peak of Ottoman ceramic production.
Half-day Eminönü historical walk: Start at Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) → find Rüstem Pasha Mosque (20 min) → walk through Tahtakale's market streets → continue to the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) and the Eminönü waterfront → cross Galata Bridge for views → option to continue to Sirkeci or Grand Bazaar.