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Şemsi Pasha Mosque is a small but scenic Ottoman mosque in Üsküdar, Istanbul. Built in 1580 by famed architect Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Şemsi Pasha, it's known for its harmony with the Bosphorus shoreline and elegant proportions.
The mosque is part of a compact complex including a madrasa and Şemsi Pasha’s mausoleum, which is uniquely connected to the prayer hall. The structure features a single dome, marble mihrab, and colorful stained-glass windows.
The L-shaped madrasa has twelve domed rooms and a central classroom, later converted into a library. After a fire and years of neglect, the complex was restored in 1940 and remains a picturesque example of Sinan’s architectural mastery.
References:The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.