Rustem Pasha Mosque

A Guide to Viking's 'Ancient Mediterranean Treasures' Cruise, On and Off the Ship | Condé Nast Traveler

"Visiting this 16th-century mosque offered a more intimate and, in many ways, more captivating experience than the city’s most famous Blue Mosque. Slightly farther from where I had been staying, it felt like a smaller, less crowded sanctuary with mesmerizing tile work that really stood out. Touring it with a group of about 25 fellow Viking guests meant we could all go inside at once and comfortably gather around our guide without having to strain to hear the history. The lack of crowds and the richly patterned tiles created a serene, visually stunning stop that ended up being especially memorable compared to the more touristed sites." - Madison Flager

"A Gem by Turkey's Master Architect After a few days in Istanbul you will have likely heard the name Mimar Sinan (1489–1588) many times, and before long you will have seen some of the architect's works, from the kitchens of Topkapı Palace to the city's largest mosque, the Süleymaniye. The 16th-century architect is considered the master of classical Ottoman architecture, whose buildings are soaring achievements that built on the Byzantine goal of creating voluminous spaces under floating domes. Just slightly off the tourist trail, at a few hundred yards to the west of the Spice Bazaar, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque is a gem by Sinan that deserves a detour. You'll get to experience the architect's work on an intimate scale, while another highlight is the İznik tilework that was at its peak in the 16th century. In the more famous Blue Mosque, much of the tilework is high above visitors' heads, but here it is at eye level—all the better to appreciate its details. If some of the spiritual atmosphere of other mosques is lost with the crowds of visitors, at Rüstem Pasha it is still possible to admire the blue tiles, surrounded by silence, before heading back out into the city."

Istanbul Travel Guide by Rick Steves

"▲  Small 16th-century mosque of Süleyman's Grand Vizier with extravagant tile decor." - Rick Steves' Europe