Mausoleum of Prince Mustafa

This mausoleum was built in 1573 for Shehzade Mustafa, son of Suleiman the Magnificent, by his brother, Selim II. The funeral of Shehzade Mustafa who died in 1553 in Ereğli (Konya County) was brought to Bursa where he first was buried in another place. After about twenty years in that place, he then was buried in this mausoleum, which was built for him.

It is known that the architect of this mausoleum was Mehmet Çavush, one of the supervisors of “Dergah-i Ali” dervish lodge, and that he was entrusted with this work on recommendation of Sinan, chief architect of Hassa.

Some building materials from the Byzantine era, such as marble plates and columns brought from “Bursa Sarayı” palace, were used in its construction. It is known that the four sarcophagi placed inside this mausoleum are those of Shehzade Mustafa, of Mahidevran Hatun, his mother and of Osman, son of Shehzade Bayezid. There is another sarcophagus in this mausoleum whose identity is unknown.

The structure’s walls are completely covered with dodecagonal, glazed Iznik tiles. These tiles are made in the naturalistic style of the 16th century.