Tomb of Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha

The Tomb of Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha is a mausoleum designed by Mimar Sinan, located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, opposite Sinan Paşa Camii and adjacent to the Naval Museum. The structure exhibits the characteristic features of classical Ottoman tomb architecture and was commissioned in 1541–1542 (Hijri 948) for the renowned admiral Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha.

General View of the Tomb of Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha (Nalan Dönmez Yakarçelik)

Architectural Features

• Plan and Materials: The tomb is constructed in an octagonal plan from cut stone. Its dome is covered with lead and rests upon an octagonal drum.

• Entrance and Portico: On the entrance façade, a pointed-arch portico is supported by two full and two half marble columns. The portico is covered with a mirror vault. The interior of the vault is decorated using the malakari technique with white rumi and palmette motifs on a navy blue background. The columns feature baklava-style capitals.

• Inscription: Above the entrance door, the inscription reads: “This is the tomb of the conqueror of Algeria and Tunisia, the late Ghazi Kapudan Hayreddin Pasha, may God’s mercy be upon him – year 948.” Between the arches of the entrance, the phrase “Allahümmeftah lenâ ebvâbe rahmetike” (O God, open for us the gates of Your mercy) is written in jeli sülüs script.

• Windows: On all sides of the octagonal body except the entrance façade, there are two windows each. The upper row of windows features latticed plaster honeycomb patterns and pointed arches. The lower row consists of blind pointed arches with arched marble lintels and rectangular sills. Iron grilles with floral motifs adorn the windows.

• Door: The main door panels, crafted using the kündekâri technique, were restored in 1958 by Master Asaf Çakır.

• Interior Space: The interior of the tomb has a simple appearance. At the center of the dome, within a medallion dated 1862–1863 (H. 1278), the Basmala and verse 89 of Surah Al-A’raf are inscribed: “Rabbenâftah beynenâ ve beyne kavminâ bil-hakkı ve ente Hayru'l-fâtihîn” (O our Lord, judge between us and our people with truth, and You are the Best of those who judge). The interior of the dome is adorned with white medallions, rumi and palmette motifs on a navy blue background. The transition from the octagonal base to the dome is achieved through muqarnas corbels.

Coffins

Inside the tomb, four wooden coffins are placed on an elevated platform. These coffins belong to the following individuals:

1. Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha
2. His son Hasan Pasha, who served three times as Beylerbey of Algeria
3. Captain of the Sea Cafer Pasha
4. His wife Bâlâ Hatun

Interior of the Tomb (Nalan Dönmez Yakarçelik)

Enclosure

The surrounding enclosure contains gravestones belonging to the close relatives, descendants, and trustees of Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha. The earliest gravestone dates to 1580 (H. 988), and the latest to 1911 (H. 1329). While some of the gravestones are original, others were restored or converted into stone sarcophagi in the early 19th and 20th centuries.

View of the Enclosure (Nalan Dönmez Yakarçelik)

Historical Development and Restorations

Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha referred to his tomb in his 1534 endowment deed as “müceddeden bina eylediğim türbe-i şerifim” (my honored tomb, rebuilt anew), indicating that the tomb was constructed prior to the writing of the deed. The Ottoman navy maintained the tradition of saluting Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha with cannon fire from in front of the tomb before setting sail.

The tomb underwent major restorations in 1958, 1978, 2013, and 2019. During the 2013 restoration, the dome and painted decorations were renewed. In 2019, the floor insulation was replaced, interior arrangements were updated, and the coffin covers and gravestones in the enclosure were cleaned. Since 1975, the tomb has been under the management of the Naval Museum Directorate and is open to visitors during the museum’s opening hours.