Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Complex Payas

"Payas Castle

Payas Castle, located west of the Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex in the Payas district of Hatay, is a defensive structure with eight towers surrounded by a moat. Originally built by the Crusaders to ensure the safety of pilgrims and used by the Knights Templar, it was later used by the Ottomans. Following Selim I's 1516 Egyptian campaign, the region came under Ottoman rule. The dilapidated castle was rebuilt faithfully between 1567 and 1571 by order of Selim II. The castle, which exhibits pure Ottoman architecture in terms of technique and artistry, served as a guard post and a military base to protect the Surre Regiments and trade caravans. It contains a courtyard, a small mosque, barracks, warehouses, and towers. In the early years of the Republic, it served as a guard post and prison. It was restored between 2011 and 2013 and opened to tourism in 2014."

Mazhar Abbas

"Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex – Payas / Hatay

Located in Payas, one of the most important trade and defense centers of the Ottoman Empire on the Mediterranean coast, the Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex was built in the 16th century by Mimar Sinan. Consisting of structures such as a mosque, a madrasah, an imaret (soup kitchen), an inn, a bathhouse, and a caravanserai, this complex comprehensively reflects the urban planning and stonemasonry of the period.

📍 Location
• Located in the center of the Payas district of Hatay.
• Within walking distance of the Dörtyol–İskenderun highway and Payas Castle.
• Easy access; just a few minutes from the highway exit.

📏 Date
• Built in 1574 for the Ottoman Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmet Pasha.
• One of Mimar Sinan's late-period works.
• An important stopover in the Ottoman trade network in the Eastern Mediterranean.

🧱 Architectural Features
• It reflects classical Ottoman architecture with its cut stonework, pointed arched passages, and courtyard layout.
• The mosque, caravanserai, and bathhouse sections are still intact.
• Payas Castle, adjacent to the complex, formed a defensive line connected to maritime trade during the period.

📌 Cultural and Historical Significance
• It was a point used for both military and commercial purposes during the Ottoman period.
• It is one of the best-preserved examples of complexes on the Mediterranean route.
• The complex and its surrounding structures authentically preserve the architectural style of Sinan's period.

#Payas #Hatay #OttomanArchitecture #MimarSinan #SokulluMehmetPaşa #Complex #PayasCastle #HistoricalPlaces #CulturalHeritage #MediterraneanRoutes"

Yusuf Dikel

"We had the chance to visit this caravanserai, known to be the work of the magnificent architect Mimar Sinan, dating back to the 1600s. It features a mosque complex, inns, and bathhouses lined up like pearls. If you're ever in the area, be sure to stop by."

Toprak