Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul 
The breathtaking interior of Suleiman Mosque. Photo: Pierre Metivier.
For many more pictures, see our Süleymaniye Camii Photo Gallery.
Exterior view of Suleimaniye Mosque. Photo: khoogheem.
General view of the interior, filled with light. Photo: Pierre Metivier.
Location map and aerial view of Suleymaniye Mosque. For a larger interactive view, see our Istanbul Map.
The Suleiman Mosque (Turkish: Süleymaniye Camii) is a grand 16th-century mosque in Istanbul built by Suleiman the Magnificent.
History
The Suleiman Mosque was built on the order of sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557.
The mosque is modeled in part on the style of a Byzantine basilica, particularly the Hagia Sophia, which was perhaps a conscious move on the part of the sultan to create a continuity and a symbolic connection with the city's past.
The Suleiman Mosque was ravaged by a fire in 1660 and was restored on the command of sultan Mehmed IV by architect Fossatı. The restoration, however, changed the mosque into a more baroque style, damaging the great work severely.
The mosque was restored to its original glory during the 19th century but during World War I the courtyard was used as a weapons depot and when some of the ammunition ignited, the mosque suffered another fire. Not until 1956 was it restored again. Today, the Suleiman Mosque is one of the most popular sights in Istanbul.
What to See
The mosque is 59 meters in length and 58 meters in width. The main dome is 53 meters high and has a diameter of 27.25 meters.
Apart from the main mosque with the prayer hall (cami) and courtyard (avlu), the mosque complex also includes a caravanserai or seraglio (sarayı; han), a public kitchen (imaret) which served food to the poor, a hospital (darüşşifa), a Qur'an school (medrese) and a bath-house (hamam).
In the garden behind the main mosque there are two mausoleums (türbe) including the tombs of sultan Suleiman I, his wife Roxelana (Haseki Hürrem), his daughter Mihrimah, his mother Dilaşub Saliha and his sister Asiye. Suleiman's tomb features a system of layered domes copied from the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.
The sultans Suleiman II, Ahmed II and Safiye (died in 1777), the daughter of Mustafa II, are also buried here. Just outside the mosque walls to the north is the humble tomb of Sinan, designed by the occupant himself.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Suleymaniye Mosque; Süleymaniye Camii |
| Location: | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Faith: | Islam |
| Category: | Mosques |
| Architecture: | Ottoman |
| Date: | 1550-57 |
| Patron(s): | Suleiman the Magnificent |
| Architect: | Sinan |
| Status: | active |
| Photo gallery: | Suleymaniye Mosque Photo Gallery |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Süleymaniye Cad., Istanbul, Turkey |
| Coordinates: | 41.016085° N, 28.963909° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | none |
Travel Resources
- Istanbul Map - our detailed interactive map of Istanbul, plus hand-picked links to more
- Istanbul Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Istanbul Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Istanbul
- Istanbul Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
Article Sources
Last updated on January 29, 2011.
