Süleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque

The Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the grand mosques in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built between 1550 and 1557 in an exceptionally short period under the orders of Suleiman the Magnificent and stands as the most important work of the architect Mimar Sinan. The magnificent architectural complex, which includes the mosque, holds both urban and national significance and shares equal importance with the Fatih Mosque.

The entire complex is built on the steep and complex Third Hill, using a surprisingly ingenious architectural scheme to integrate the hill with the surrounding streets. For the first time, red İznik tiles were used inside the mosque. The mosque is situated within a courtyard that measures 216 meters in length and 144 meters in width, which also includes a türbe (mausoleum) and a graveyard. The mosque building itself is 59 meters long and 58 meters wide, while the courtyard is 46 meters long and 32 meters wide. The central dome rises 53 meters high and has a diameter of 27.25 meters. Inside the main dome, Sinan embedded 64 earthenware jars with a diameter of 0.5 meters into the walls, giving the entire structure exceptional acoustics. The mosque is supported by four main pillars that uphold the central dome system, along with two semi-domes and two gable walls. The Süleymaniye Mosque is adorned with intricate woodwork, gold leaf, and silver inlays, and houses many artistic treasures from the Ottoman era, making it a representative masterpiece of the early peak of Ottoman architecture.

Süleymaniye Mosque

Why go: One of the most iconic works of Ottoman architecture

Continent: Asia [Asia]

Country/Region: Turkey [turkey]

Province/State: Istanbul Province [Istanbul Province]

City: Istanbul [Istanbul]