Located in Konak Square, in front of the Government Mansion, Yalı Mosque was commissioned by Ayşe Hanım, the daughter of Dervişzâde Mehmed Paşa. The mosque, which was opened for worship in 1755, is famous for its Kütahya tiles. For a long time, it was referred to by the name of its patron, but from the late 19th century, it became known as Yalı Mosque.
The Dervişzâde family, to which Ayşe Hanım belonged, holds an important place in İzmir’s history. The family was one of the prominent âyan families of Birgi. The Derviş Ağa Madrasah, which can still be visited in Birgi today, was built by Derviş Ağa, Ayşe Hanım’s grandfather, in the 17th century. Derviş Ağa’s son and Ayşe Hanım’s father, Dervişzâde Mehmed Paşa, served the state for many years. He held administrative positions in Midilli (Lesbos), Sığla, and Muğla and also served as an Admiral, overseeing the administration of Rhodes Island for a period.
After the passing of her father, Mehmet Paşa, Ayşe Hanım inherited a vast fortune, making her one of the wealthiest women in İzmir. The inheritance she received included numerous shops, houses, and half of Fazlıoğlu Hanı. Another name for Fazlıoğlu Hanı is Dervişoğlu Hanı. This was one of the largest hans of its time. It is believed that this han was commissioned by Köprülü Fazıl Ahmet Paşa or his children and later purchased by the Dervişzâde family. During the construction of Yeni Kavaflar Bazaar, which faces Fevzi Paşa Boulevard, a large portion of the han was demolished between 1928 and 1929. However, its southeastern facade and the entrance section on the same side have managed to survive to the present day.
Ayşe Hanım invested her inherited wealth in trade and made new investments. The most notable among them was the construction of a pier and a small han near the area where Yalı Mosque was built. Archival records indicate that Ayşe Hanım personally managed the operation of both the pier and the han. Known for her philanthropy as well as her commercial acumen, Ayşe Hanım continued the family tradition and, towards the end of her life, in 1749, commissioned the construction of a madrasah in her name. A mosque was built next to the medrasah to ensure that the students and scholars studying there could perform their prayers in congregation. This mosque is the Yalı Mosque, which has survived to the present day.
Ayşe Hanım endowed many of her properties to ensure the needs of the madrasah and the mosque were met. She passed away in 1757. By the second half of the 19th century, the mosque had suffered damage from various disasters over time and was demolished and rebuilt. During this reconstruction, the mosque was relocated to its current position, closer to the Government Mansion, on the other side of the madrasah.
During the tenure of Governor Rahmi Bey, urban planning efforts in Konak Square led to the demolition of the madrasah and a major renovation of the mosque. Under the supervision of one of the leading architects of the time, Tahsin Sermet Bey, the mosque’s interior was adorned with Kütahya tiles.
A gift to the city from Ayşe Hanım of the Dervişzâde family—who traced their roots from Birgi, once the capital of the Aydinid Principality, to İzmir, the center of Aydın Province—Yalı Mosque is not only one of the city’s iconic structures but also sheds light on İzmir’s rich history through its remarkable story.