Süleymaniye . Mosque

The beautiful Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii), one of the masterpieces of the famous architect Sinan, is located on the highest hill of Istanbul and is less affected by the constant influx of tourists. .

The Süleymaniye Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Süleyman I, also known as Süleyman the Magnificent, who was one of the wealthiest of all the Ottoman sultans. Construction began in 1550 with the participation of more than 3,500 craftsmen working continuously to complete the work 7 years later.

Like most royal mosques, the Süleymaniye Mosque is not only a place of worship but also a gathering place for the Muslim community and residents of the area. In addition to the prayer hall (camii) and courtyard (avlu), the complex also includes four Koran schools (medrese), bathhouses (hamam), a hospital, a caravanserai (kervansaray, a roadside inn where merchants on the silk road could rest) and a kitchen (imaret) serving food to the poor; Muslims, Christians and Jews alike.

The easiest way to get to the Süleymaniye Mosque is via Sıddık Sami Onar Caddesi street. This street is still known as Addictives' Alley because of the teahouses lining the street that used to sell marijuana in the past. Marijuana is now banned and no longer sold, but the teahouses are still there.

From the alley, visitors can weave their way through the walls surrounding the mosque, admire the manicured gardens and walk into the courtyard. Here, a graceful fountain is built in the middle of the courtyard. Before entering the mosque, pay attention to the four minarets, a number that is only allowed for mosques authorized by a monarch. The towers have a total of 10 galleries or balconies indicating that Süleyman the Magnificent was the 10th Ottoman sultan.

Stepping inside, visitors will have the opportunity to take a closer look at this rather large mosque with 59 meters in length and 58 meters in width. The 53-meter-high main dome is supported by pillars that are cleverly combined with the walls to hide in a unique way. The minimalist yet effective interior decoration seems fancier when the light shines in through 200 stained glass windows.

Like many other monuments in Istanbul, the mosque has been destroyed many times. In 1660, it was destroyed by fire, after which Sultan Mehmed IV ordered its restoration. In 1766, part of the dome collapsed again in an earthquake and was renovated in the mid-19th century.

During World War I, the mosque was ravaged by another fire as the armory in the courtyard caught fire. The mosque was restored again in 1956 and has continued to be restored since 2008.

Behind the mosque is a cemetery and two mausoleums. These are the beautifully restored tombs of Sultan Süleyman I, his wife Roxelana (Haseki Hürrem), his daughter Mihrimah, his mother Dilaşub Saliha and his sister Asiye. Just outside the walls of the mosque, in the foreground, is the mausoleum of the architect Sinan. However, this mausoleum is not open to the public.

Also in front of the mosque are the caravanserai (closed to the public) and the public kitchen now used as a restaurant. Beside the restaurant, hidden behind the trees, guests will find a cafe in a tranquil garden that acts as an oasis of calm and cool during hot summer days.

Business hours:

Daily, from 09:00 to 18:00

Closed at prayer time.

Ticket price: free.