Changes After Construction
Cihangir Mosque is a work commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent to Mimar Sinan in memory of his son Cihangir, who died at a young age.
The first mosque was completed in 1559-1560. It has suffered five fires throughout history.
It was last rebuilt in 1890 during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
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Designed with a square plan and a single dome, the mosque is based on an architectural approach initiated by Mimar Sinan. The dome is placed on four corners, thus reducing the load on the walls and allowing more windows to be opened in the upper sections. The fan-shaped window arrangement, especially in the upper sections, is striking.
Although there is no definite information about the architect of today's mosque, some sources on the renovation work in 1890 mention Sarkis Balyan's name, but this information is not definite.
The structure, which draws attention with its three-part narthex and two minarets, has a simple but impressive architecture. Thirty-nine panels written by calligraphers and pen works decorate the interior of the mosque.
