ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF BOSNIAKS IN ISTANBUL

Bosniaks used to be one of the peoples who enjoyed full recognition in all fields of political, intellectual and artistic activity within the Ottoman Empire. The openness of the Ottoman Empire to all those who wanted to contribute to Islamic civilization allowed even people from the most distant regions and from different classes to contribute to caliphate and Ottoman sultan's home, in a way which was unique at the time. While, at the same time, the class was crucial for social recognition in Europe, many talented individuals in the Ottoman Empire, regardless of their origin, attained high positions thus creating an elite free of prejudice and focused on the wellbeing of all citizens.

Bosniaks were one of the peoples who gave a great contribution to development of the Ottoman Empire. Many viziers, military commanders, pashas and beys, alims, artists and poets drew their origin from Bosnia. The best-known among them include Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, Rustem Pasha, Nasuh Matrakči, Osman Nakaš and many others, who left immeasurable influence in the history of Ottomans. These people considered themselves Ottomans, though they did not forget their origin either. The Ottoman system of openness allowed hundreds of young Bosniaks to build successful careers in many fields as early as starting from the 16th century.

One of these people's achievements was building waqfs in various cities across the empire, mostly mosques though other buildings for social or educational purposes as well. The best-known waqfs were bequeathed by grand viziers who originated from Bosnia and remained high-positioned officials. This text deals with the buildings they bequeathed in Istanbul, i.e. with selected examples of mosque architecture. Above all, they are two mosques commissioned by Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, two mosques by Ali Pasha, Rustem Pasha, Sinan Pasha, Zal Mahmud Pasha, Mehmed Mesih Pasha, Piyale Pasha and Ibrahim Pasha mosques.

All these buildings are masterpieces of Ottoman architecture, and most of them were built by Mimar Sinan. Ali Pasha mosques are the oldest Bosniak mosques in Istanbul. One was built in the old-Constantinople style (Atik Ali Pasha Mosque 1496) and is important because it most likely served as the model for Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, while the other (Zincirlikuyu, 1512) was built in Bursa manner of multi-dome old Ulu mosques. Sinan Pasha Mosque (1555) was built in retro-style and, together with Piyale Pasha Mosque, it is Sinan's attempt to look back at earlier styles of Ottoman architecture. Building of Sinan Pasha Mosque was directly influenced by Uc Serefeli Mosque from Edirne while Piyale Pasha Mosque is homage to Bursa architecture. Still, two mosques particularly stand out: Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque (in Kadirga, 1571) and Rustem Pasha Mosque (1563). They are considered as the most successful achievements of Mimar Sinan. They are particularly famous for their decorated Iznik tiles. In Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the whole mihrab wall is sheathed with tiles where the Hatayi style prevails, while in Rustem Pasha Mosque walls are almost entirely covered with tiles where the blue color prevails. Rustem Pasha Mosque was built after his death, and Iznik tiles originate from his personal collection.