Mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque

In the 18th century, a column-shaped fountain was built in the middle of the courtyard by Beşir Agha, the agha of Darüssaade.
The building, which underwent a major restoration in 1834 during the reign of Mahmud II, was taken up again with a comprehensive restoration in the 1950s; during this process, the porticoes and wooden sections were renewed and the dome and half domes were restored.
After the 1999 Izmit earthquake, restoration work was carried out to repair the damage to the structure.

Located on a hill overlooking the Golden Horn, the complex offers a striking visual of the skyline of Istanbul.
The main dome is carried by four large supports and is a powerful example of classical Ottoman architecture.
The two taller minarets have three balconies, while the two shorter minarets have two. The ten balconies on four minarets are interpreted as a reference to Suleiman the Magnificent being the tenth sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the fourth sultan after the conquest.
The Iznik tiles and colorful stained glass in the interior decorations of the mosque are among the most beautiful examples of Turkish art.
Acoustics were provided with cubes placed inside the dome, and a bright interior was created with hundreds of windows.
The tombs of Suleiman the Magnificent, Hurrem Sultan and Mimar Sinan are located within the boundaries of the complex. There are graves of many well-known people in the cemetery.