Suleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii), a work of classical Ottoman architecture, is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul. The Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the largest works that adorns the unique silhouette of Istanbul, is the eternal resting place of the Ottoman sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, and his wife Hürrem.
The “journeyman period work” in his own words, completed in 1550-1557 by Mimar Sinan, who is still admired with his genius, is the peak of Ottoman aesthetics as well as being an engineering wonder. This mosque, with its simple structure that feels spaciousness and eternity besides its size, forms a part of the complex. The 7-hectare complex of the mosque once consisted of a madrasa, Turkish bath, library and soup kitchen. Many historical events are symbolized by numbers in the Suleymaniye Mosque.
4 minarets symbolize that Sultan Süleyman the 4th Sultan after the conquest of Istanbul. The 10 cheers of the mosque refer to being the 10th Sultan who has been on the throne since its foundation. It is known that 4 elephant legs represent 4 caliphs of Islam. The walls of Suleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii) are adorned with beautiful Iznik tiles, windows and preacher peach inlaid wood.
Mimar Sinan used two special techniques in the interior architecture of the mosque. With the cubes he placed in different areas and the spaces he left between the bricks, he ensured the building to have a wonderful acoustics. In another way, he created an air flow to collect the work from oil lamps in a single point. In this way, it is ensured that the works that are created do not pollute the mosque.
Do not miss the opportunity to see this magnificent work closely, which combines the ability of Mimar Sinan with grace and power, and makes the power of the Kanuni period complete. Especially iftar tables arranged in the mosque garden during Ramadan make this blessed month even more beautiful.
