The Exterior Facade Maintenance and Repair Works Completed on the Has Odabaşı Behruz Ağa Mosque, a Valuable Work by Mimar Sinan

The exterior facade maintenance and restoration work carried out at the Has Odabaşı Behruz Ağa Mosque, located in the historical fabric of Fatih, has been completed. Built by Mimar Sinan in 1562 during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the mosque, along with its complex, fountain and landscaping, is once again drawing attention as part of Istanbul's cultural heritage.

Rising in the centre of Istanbul, the Has Odabaşı Behruz Ağa Mosque is one of the most valuable structures that carries the city's past into the present. Commissioned by Behruz Ağa, one of the Has Odabaşı People (Ones from privy chamber), to Mimar Sinan in 1562 during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the mosque was built as an example reflecting the complex tradition of the period. These structures, which shaped neighbourhood life with their primary school, bathhouse and fountain, were not only places of worship but also centres of social life.

The centuries-old mosque has undergone numerous repairs throughout its history. The extensive renovation work carried out during the reign of Mahmud II, in particular, contributed to preserving the architectural integrity of the mosque. During the restoration in 1983, an important discovery was made: the tomb of Behruz Ağa, the founder of the mosque, was found and restored. This discovery strengthened the mosque's connection to the waqf (foundation) tradition and completed its historical identity.

Fatih Municipality's exterior facade maintenance and restoration work carried out in recent years focused on preserving the structure in its original form. The mosque's facade stones were cleaned and reinforced, and surfaces that had worn over time were meticulously restored. The fountain was restored to working order, and landscaping improved the appearance of the mosque and its complex, creating an environment where visitors can both worship and spend time in peace.

Throughout history, the Has Odabaşı Behruz Ağa Mosque has been not only a place of worship but also a centre where the neighbourhood community gathered, socialised, and where children were educated. With the recent renovations, the mosque has been transformed into a place where the neighbourhood residents gather again, where prayers are performed in peace, and where neighbourly relations are kept alive.

The Ottoman waqf (foundation) tradition was an integral part of social life. Traces of this culture, which encompassed many areas from education to health, social life to religious life, can still be seen in the Has Odabaşı Behruz Ağa Mosque. The human-centred philosophy of the foundation concept can be felt in every stone of the mosque. Today's restoration work also stands out as part of this tradition of keeping the past alive, bringing it into the present and carrying it to the future.

This project, implemented by the Fatih Municipality, is not just a restoration; it is also a transfer of culture. As the Has Odabaşı Behruz Ağa Mosque rises to the sky with its minarets, it continues to carry Istanbul's memory from today to tomorrow. The mosque, which has reappeared in the city's skyline, continues to live on as a legacy representing the continuity of the foundation culture.

Has Odabaşı Behruz Ağa Mosque is now not just a place of worship; it has been reborn in the heart of Fatih as a cultural treasure that embodies the spirit, memory, and social life of the city.

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