The Suleymaniye crowns one of the seven hills dominating the Golden Horn and provides a magnificent landmark for the entire city. It was commissioned by the greatest, richest and most powerful of the Ottoman sultans, Suleyman the Magnificent (r 1520–66), and was the fourth imperial mosque built in Istanbul.
History
The Suleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and constructed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557.
Suleymaniye 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 Suleymaniye 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 Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most popular sights in Istanbul.
Suleymaniye Mosque Floor Plans
What to See
Although it’s not the largest of the Ottoman mosques, the recently restored Süleymaniye is certainly the grandest. 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. Inside, the mosque is breathtaking in its size and pleasing in its simplicity.
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 Suleyman 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.
Mosque complex of the Suleymaniye, which is outside the walled garden, is particularly elaborate, with the full complement of public services: soup kitchen, hostel, hospital, medrese, hamam etc. Today the soup kitchen, with its charming garden courtyard, houses the Darüzziyafe Restaurant, a lovely place to enjoy a cup of tea. Lale Bahçesi, located in a sunken courtyard next to Darüzziyafe, is a popular hang-out for uni students, who come here to chat, drink çay and indulge in nargilehs. The former medrese now houses a library and a raft of simple eateries serving beans and rice.
Near the southeast wall of the mosque is its cemetery, home to the tombs of Suleyman and Roxelana. The tilework in both is superb.
Less busy and crowded than the Blue Mosque, and all the more stunning for it. The location was wonderful, and the views over the city from the North West corner of the garden were amazing.
Visited this one evening and it was very pleasant as there many less people there than I can imagine during the day and no coach tours. Nice to be able to find a space to sit on the carpet and admire the building and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.
Truly worth a visit !
This mosque is a bit away from the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia but is just about as dazzling. The tile work and marble alone are worth the visit to this vast and peaceful space. Awe-inspiring is the best description.
This mosque is not the most famous in Istanbul, but it is the best, and not crowded with tourists. It was designed by Sinan, the architect of Suleyman the Magnificient. This is the chosen site, where Sinan, Suleyman, and his wife are all buried.
If you're planning to visit just one mosque in Istanbul let it be this one rather than the touristic Sultanahmet. It's located on the historical peninsula within walking distance from the Spice Bazaar and it's one of the most emblematic ottoman buildings after the Top Kapi palace. Plus it's a more genuine and peaceful mosque.
The mosque from the inside is really pretty but you need to be careful with what your wearing (dress conservatively) and do not go in the mosque during praying times..
Muted colors, lovely gardens, beautiful interior and lovely little things like the astronomers' window.
I have to say that this mosque was my favorite to visit in Istanbul because it was quiet and quite far from hoards of tourists as opposed to the Blue Mosque. As it was a quiet space filled with an intensely calming energy compared to the rest of Sultanahmet, and the attractions around, I could have spent an entire day…
I love the fact that all the mosques in Istanbul are so open and welcoming to everyone. With all it's domes and minarets, the Suleymaniye Mosque doesn't let you down at all. Go and look at the walls and the ceiling with wonder and awe – it deserves it! And with the entry absolutely free, why would you miss out?!