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Suleymaniye Mosque
History of the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul
The Sulaymaniyah Mosque is considered one of the most important archaeological monuments frequented by tourists in Istanbul, and this is not surprising, especially if we know that the mosque is one of the most important masterpieces designed by the famous Turkish architect, Sinan, who is well-known for its construction. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ordered its construction during the flourishing period of Ottoman rule. Work on it in 1550, and it was completed and opened for worship in 1557.
The Suleymaniye Mosque is located on a hill overlooking the Gulf and the Bosphorus. The mosque contains the tomb of Sultan Suleiman, his sanctuary, and the tomb of Architect Sinan.
Many advanced architectural techniques were used in its construction, as its structure is based on a hierarchical balance that makes its appearance harmonious from any angle you look at it.
The mosque has four domes that refer to the location of Sultan Suleiman as the fourth sultan who assumed power after the conquest of Istanbul, and these minarets have ten balconies indicating that he was the tenth sultan in the Ottoman era.
Architecture within the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul
The outer courtyard of the mosque is surrounded by a low stone fence, and from this fence you can overlook the most beautiful views of Istanbul, where the strait and the Gulf are.
Although the Sulaymaniyah Mosque is somewhat large, simplicity overcomes it from the inside, and perhaps the first thing that catches your eye inside is its large dome, which is 53 meters high, with a diameter of 26.5 meters, and is considered the largest dome among the domes of historical mosques in Istanbul, where it is based on four columns.
It was mentioned in Tuhfat al-Bayan that the columns were brought from Alexandria, Baalbek, Topkapi Palace, and Fateh Kaztashi.
As for the inner courtyard of the mosque, in the middle there is a wonderful fountain, and the courtyard is surrounded by twenty-four columns on which are placed twenty-eight domes. The inner courtyard has a beautiful main door, on which the prestige of the old doors appears.
Where is the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul?
The Suleymaniye Mosque is located in the well-known Fatih district in the heart of Istanbul. Visiting hours start at nine in the morning and end at six, and visitors to the mosque should pay attention to the style of their clothes, taking into account the sanctity of the mosque.
You can reach Sulaymaniyah Mosque by public transportation, and the easiest way to reach Sulaymaniyah Mosque is to use the Haji Osman-Yenikapi metro line. When you get off at the Vezneciler stop on this line, you will walk on Sulaymaniyah Street for 10 to 15 minutes to reach the square in which it is located. the whole in it.
In addition, it can be reached by using the Bağcılar Kaptaş tram line. When you get off at one of the two stops, Laleli or Beyazıt, you will reach the mosque in ten minutes on foot.
