First published 2019
In 16th century Ottoman Empire, Süha Mehmed Paşa decides to commission a grand mosque complex. He entrusts the project to master architect Hüseyin Efendi, who must oversee every detail from initial sketches to final decorative elements. As construction begins, Hüseyin Efendi coordinates teams of skilled craftsmen who will create minarets, ornate glass decorations, and intricate architectural features. The project extends beyond the mosque itself to include a complete complex with a religious school, soup kitchen, hospital, public bath, fountain, covered market, and cemetery. Each structure serves the broader Turkish-Islamic community in specific ways. Through the eyes of Süha Mehmed Paşa, Hüseyin Efendi, and the master craftsmen, readers witness how this religious and social center takes shape stone by stone, reflecting the central role such complexes played in Ottoman society.
Genres: history, historical-fiction, religion, architecture
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, historical-setting
Setting: Ottoman Empire
Period: 16th Century
96 pages · Hardcover · Kaknüs Yayinlari