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Construction year: 1550-1557

The city it is located in: İstanbul

The borough it is located in: Eminönü

The neighbourhood it is located in: Süleymaniye

Address: Prof. Sıddık Sami Onar Avenue, Süleymaniye, Eminönü

How to reach the place: The Süleymaniye Mosque is the main structure within the Süleymaniye Complex, located 200 m from the Vezneciler bus stop. It can also be reached with a 20 minute walk up the hill from Tahtakale.

Monument type: Mosque

The function today: Mosque

The ownership: Directorate of pious Foundations

The bibliography that link the building to Sinan: TE, TB, TM

Information about the monument: This mosque is one of the incomparable architectural works that defines the silhouette and identity of Istanbul. Even though its grand size and dimensions, the Complex was one of the most significant construction operations in the history of the Ottoman Empire, it displays an overall simplicity and austerity. This is probably due to the personal preferences and religiosity of Sultan Süleyman, known as the Lawgiver. Many of the measurements relating to its construction are thought to have symbolic meanings. Various documents mention that the four main columns in the Mosque, one brought from the Artemis Temple in Ephesus, two from Egypt, and one from Istanbul, were erected to represent the four Caliphs of Islam. Overall, it displays the major canons, which became the bases of Sinan’s classical architecture and influenced subsequent periods as sources of design and building. The Mosque is open to visitors until late hours of the day since it is one of the most visited places in Istanbul by local and foreign tourists.

The other monuments of Sinan similar to this building: Haseki Hürrem Sultan Tomb, Sultan Süleyman Tomb, Sultan Süleyman (Süleymaniye) Madrasa (Evvel), Sultan Süleyman (Süleymaniye) Madrasa (Sani), Sultan Süleyman (Süleymaniye) Madrasa (Salis), Sultan Süleyman (Süleymaniye) Madrasa (Rabi), Sultan Süleyman (Abu's Suud Efendi) Hadith College, Sultan Süleyman Medical School, Sultan Süleyman (Süleymaniye) Darülkurra, Sultan Süleyman Elementary School, Sultan Süleyman Medical School, Sultan Süleyman (Süleymaniye) Hospice, Sultan Süleyman (Süleymaniye) Caravanserai, Sultan Süleyman (Dökmeciler) Bath House, Rüstem Paşa Mosque, Hüsrev Kethuda Darülkurra,

The other monuments similar to this building: Beyazıt Mosque, Vefa Kilise Mosque, Kalenderhane Mosque, Mimar Sinan Tomb

Last Update: 4.12.2015

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