Lala Pasha Mosque Lala Pasha Mosque stands as the first mosque built in Erzurum during the era of the Ottoman Empire, setting a precedent for subsequent Ottoman mosque designs. It was commissioned by Lala Mustafa Pasha, the Governor of Erzurum and the commander who served under Suleiman the Magnificent during the capture of Cyprus, in the year 1562. Situated close to the palace mosque and a primary school, the Lala Pasha Mosque follows the "plan type" architectural style developed in Istanbul. This style was later adopted for other important mosques such as Şehzadebaşı, Sultan Ahmet, Eminönü Yeni Mosque, and Yeni Fatih, though on a comparatively smaller scale. The mosque features four domes positioned at each corner and 28 windows arranged in two tiers. Natural light fills the interior through half cross vaults supported by pointed arches on all sides. During the Russian occupation of the city, the lower row window pediment tiles were damaged by bullets that penetrated through them. Within the mosque’s courtyard stands an octagonal fountain topped with a conical roof, supported by columns adorned with exquisite stone carvings. The narthex, embodying a classic Ottoman architectural style, is open on all sides and framed by pointed arches. On the west altar of the narthex, an edict inscribed on shaped marble slabs dates back to the reign of Mehmed IV. This decree granted the local residents tax exemption once peace was reestablished in Istanbul following his overthrow of his brother Ibrahim. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Lala Pasha Mosque, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply send us a message on Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.