DK Travel : Istanbul : Süleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque

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One of the finest creations of the Ottoman Empire’s greatest architect, Sinan, Süleymaniye Camii was built in 1550–57 for Süleyman I. He established this magnificent hilltop mosque as a charitable foundation (külliye) as well as a place of worship – and it stands in a vast complex that includes medreses, a hamam, a hospital and a caravanserai. The mosque’s towering domes dominate the skyline in a matchless display of imperial power, while its delicate calligraphy, stained-glass windows and decorative carvings add a lightness of touch. Süleyman and his wife Roxelana are buried in tombs in the courtyard.
Take a few moments after exploring the mosque to visit the University’s Botanic Gardens, next door. There are plenty of options for refreshment here, with the Darüzziyafe Restaurant and Lalezar Café in the old soup kitchens, and a row of cafés right opposite the main entrance to the complex. After visiting the tomb of Süleyman, take a look at that of his wife, Roxelana – one of the most formidable women in Turkish history. Climb to the gallery in the mosque’s northeast corner for some of the finest views of Istanbul available anywhere in the city.

Top 10 Features

1. Sinan’s Tomb

Sinan designed his own triangular mausoleum on the site of the house in which he lived while building the mosque, just beyond the northwest corner of the complex. It is a modest memorial to a prodigious talent.
2. Süleyman’s Tomb

2. Süleyman’s Tomb

Sultan Süleyman I, “the Magnificent”, lies in a grandiose and highly decorated garden tomb, with an ebony, mother-of-pearl and ivory door and a dome inlaid with tiny ceramic stars.
3. Mosque Interior

3. Mosque Interior

The interior is simple and serene. The blue, white and gold dome contains 200 stained-glass windows. The mihrab and pulpit are made from white marble decorated with İznik tiles.
4. Courtyard

4. Courtyard

This great courtyard is surrounded by a colonnade of porphyry, Marmara and pink Egyptian columns, said to be recycled from the Hippodrome.
5. Medreses

5. Medreses

The medreses (colleges) – once part of the Imperial religious school – now house Süleyman’s library of 110,000 manuscripts. They are currently closed to the public.
6. Addicts’ Alley

6. Addicts’ Alley

The cafés of “Addicts’ Alley” – formally known as Prof Siddik Sami Omar Caddesi – once sold opium and hashish. It still has its cafés, but now the drug of choice is tobacco smoked in a water pipe (nargile).
7. Hamam

The mosque’s hamam (bathhouse) has been restored and is now open for business. Somewhat alarmingly, it offers all visitors free life insurance during their bath!
8. İmaret

The mosque kitchens not only fed the many workers, students, teachers and priests in the complex, but ran a soup kitchen for up to 1,000 people a day.
9. Caravanserai

The mosque was a full-service complex – in the caravanserai, visitors and their animals could find food and lodging.
10. Views

10. Views

The terraced gardens outside the main complex offer fine views across the Golden Horn to the Galata Tower.

Practical Information

Take a few moments after exploring the mosque to visit the University’s Botanic Gardens, next door. There are plenty of options for refreshment here, with the Darüzziyafe Restaurant and Lalezar Café in the old soup kitchens, and a row of cafés right opposite the main entrance to the complex. Prof Siddik SamiOmar Cad (0212) 514 01 39 Open 9am–7pm daily (closed at prayer times); Süleyman’s tomb open 9:30am–4:30pm; Sinan’s tomb open 9am–5pm Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun; hamam open 7am–midnight daily Free (adm charge for hamam)