The Süleymaniye Mosque was commissioned in the mid-16th century by the greatest of all the Ottoman sultans, Süleyman the Magnificent, and was designed by the most famous Ottoman imperial architect, Mimar Sinan.
Sinan was tasked with surpassing both the grandeur and scale of the nearby Hagia Sophia cathedral. His design is a mixture of both Byzantine and Ottoman architectural elements, combining the semi-domes typical of Byzantine cathedrals with the minarets and domed buildings traditionally used in Ottoman mosques. It famously references the Dome on the Rock on the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, playing on Süleyman’s desire to cast himself in the image of Solomon, the notably wise king of Israel.
Even though the Süleymaniye Mosque is slightly smaller in size than the Hagia Sophia, it is certainly exceptionally grand. When you visit, you will first walk across the impressive courtyard on the west side, with its marble, granite and porphyry columns and its minarets at each corner. From here, make sure you appreciate the scale of the main dome, which is 53 metres high and has a diameter of 27.5 metres.
When you enter the mosque, you will find that the decoration of its interior is quite subtle. The use of Iznik tiling typical in buildings of that period is restrained, as is the woodwork with its ivory and mother of pearl inlays.
As well as the mosque itself, the complex included a number of services to cater to public needs, including a hospital, schools, a soup kitchen and steam baths. Enjoy a meal in the old soup kitchen which has been converted into the Darüzziyafe Restaurant. You are also welcome to visit the steam baths.
The Süleymaniye Mosque is located atop the Third Hill of Istanbul, just north of Istanbul University, and offers magnificent views out over the Golden Horn. It is within walking distance of the university as well as the Grand Bazaar, both of which can easily be reached by bus or tram. The mosque is open every day, but since it is still a functioning place of worship, non-Muslims should avoid visiting within thirty minutes of the calls to prayer, which happen at various times throughout the day, and on Friday afternoons. Modest clothing should be worn when visiting the mosque and shoes should be removed before entering. Admission is free of charge.
