Payas Sokullu Mehmed Pasha Complex

The Payas Sokullu Mehmed Pasha Complex, which was built in Payas in the 16th century, consisting of a mosque, inn, arasta, caravanserai, tabhane, imaret, hammam, bakery and sanbyan school, was analysed. The architectural and ornamental features of the complex, which has survived to the present day in a very good condition with most of its structures, although it has seen various repairs over time, have been examined and information about its current situation has been given. Payas Sokullu Mehmed Pasha Complex has the characteristics of Ottoman classical period in terms of architecture. The building is considered to be the work of Mimar Sinan since it is counted among the works of Mimar Sinan in Tuhfetü`l Mimarin and it was built in a period when Mimar Sinan was the chief architect of the Hassa Architects Quarry. At the same time as the construction of this complex, Sinan the Architect was carrying out the construction of the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne (1567-1574) for Selim II, whom he called his masterpiece. In addition, the construction of large-scale complexes in Lüleburgaz and Havsa for Sokullu Mehmed Pasha was in progress. The use of thick walls, cross vaulting and the use of colourful materials in its construction, the predominance of Syrian influences (Zengi, Ayyubid and Mamluk) and the continuation of the construction of Mimar Sinan's masterpiece suggest that it was built by an architect belonging to the Hassa Quarry or a local architect. The Sokullu Mehmed Pasha Foundation, which mentions in detail the charitable works built by Sokullu and which has not been mentioned in detail in previous studies, and the works of travellers and travellers who saw Payas and the complex at various times were evaluated in our study.