Süleymaniye Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Eminönü, Turkey
Description
Süleymaniye Mosque is a prayer hall on Istanbul's third hill in Istanbul Province, rising above the cityscape with four minarets and a dome. The interior is lit by numerous windows that draw daylight through colored glass into the prayer hall.
History
Mimar Sinan designed the complex on behalf of Sultan Süleyman, built between 1550 and 1557 to represent the Ottoman Empire outward. The compound grew into a center for education and care with schools and support facilities for the city population.
Culture
The name honors Sultan Süleyman, whose commission turned this prayer hall into a symbol of Ottoman power, while the surrounding buildings still show how religion and daily life were once connected. Visitors today see worshippers at prayer and can experience the calm in the courtyard, where people gather for reflection or conversation.
Practical
Those visiting the prayer hall should come outside prayer times and wear clothing that covers arms and legs. Women receive a headscarf at the entrance if they do not have one, and shoes are removed before entering.
Did you know?
The mausoleums of Sultan Süleyman and his wife Hürrem Sultan stand in the cemetery next to the compound and carry Iznik tiles on their walls. Few visitors know that Sinan himself rests in a modest grave nearby, away from the grand tombs.
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