The Süleymaniye Mosque is not just one of the largest and most majestic mosques in Istanbul, but a true symbol of the golden age of the Ottoman Empire. Rising on one of the city`s seven hills, it gazes majestically over the Golden Horn, preserving the memory of the most powerful sultan — Suleiman the Magnificent, and his brilliant architect — Mimar Sinan.
History and Architecture of the Süleymaniye Mosque
The construction of the mosque, which lasted from 1550 to 1557, was intended to be the main architectural statement of Sultan Suleiman, who wished to assert his power and surpass the grandeur of the Byzantine Hagia Sophia. For this task, the chief Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan, was summoned, whose talent turned the ambitious project into an unsurpassed masterpiece.
Even as you approach the Süleymaniye Mosque, you will notice the thoughtful symbolism in its appearance. The four high minarets symbolize that Suleiman was the fourth ruler of the dynasty after the conquest of Istanbul. The ten balcony-sheferefs with which they are decorated indicate that he was the tenth sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
The main dome, rising to a height of 53 meters with a diameter of 27.5 meters, is supported by two massive semi-domes, and this structure, reminiscent of the Hagia Sophia, became a triumph of Sinan`s engineering genius. The architect`s genius has been confirmed by time: the ingenious underground foundation with a drainage system allowed the mosque to survive nearly 90 major earthquakes and numerous fires.
Interior of the Süleymaniye Mosque
Crossing the threshold of the mosque, you find yourself in a huge space flooded with light. Sinan created a unique atmosphere by cutting 136 windows in the walls and dome. Hundreds of sunbeams, streaming through clouds of light haze, create a feeling of divine presence and tranquility. The interior of the Süleymaniye Mosque is characterized by noble minimalism: the walls are decorated with Iznik tiles featuring delicate floral patterns, and the windows are adorned with exquisite stained glass.
Pay attention to the details. Ostrich eggs are suspended between the massive chandeliers. According to legend, they are meant to repel spiders, whose webs would quickly ignite from the oil lamps and cause frequent fires. The acoustics in the mosque are also a separate masterpiece: Sinan built special clay resonator pots into the walls, which make the voice of the imam clear and audible in every corner of the vast hall.
Another interesting feature is the soot collection room. In those days, the mosque was illuminated by hundreds of oil lamps, and the soot from them settled in a separate room through a special ventilation system. This soot was then used to make high-quality ink, which is believed to have been used to write many manuscripts in the Süleymaniye Library.
The Külliye Complex: A City Within a City
The Süleymaniye Mosque is not just a building, but a huge social complex, or külliye, which in size was comparable to a city block. It included madrasahs (Islamic academies), a hospital, a soup kitchen for the poor, a hammam (bathhouse), a library, and a hostel for travelers.
It was a true charitable and educational center of the 16th century, emphasizing not only the religious but also the secular power of the sultan. Many of these buildings are still used for their original purpose today, such as the famous Süleymaniye Hammams, where you can take a steam bath as in the time of Roxelana.
Tombs of the Süleymaniye Mosque
It is here that thousands of tourists, inspired by the story of great love, flock. In the shady garden behind the wall of the mosque are two adjacent mausoleums (türbe). In the more majestic one, richly decorated with Iznik tiles, rests Sultan Suleiman the Lawgiver himself. Nearby, in a modest octagonal mausoleum lined with delicate floral patterns, his beloved wife — Hürrem Sultan, known in Europe as Roxelana — found her eternal rest. Their daughter Mihrimah is also buried here. Visiting these tombs, accessible to all for free, allows you to touch the living history of love and power.
On the grounds of the Süleymaniye Mosque complex, there is another sacred place — the modest grave of the architect Mimar Sinan himself. He asked to be buried near his greatest creation, and today you can see his open-air tombstone, located in a small garden by the wall of the mosque.
The Legend of the Four Main Pillars of the Süleymaniye Mosque
The main dome of the Süleymaniye Mosque rests on four enormous granite columns. There is a persistent and very popular legend that these columns were trophies of the Ottoman Empire:
• One (front left) was brought from the Temple of Jupiter in Baalbek (in modern-day Lebanon).
• One (front right) came from Alexandria (Egypt).
• The other two (rear) were taken from the palace of the Byzantine emperors in Constantinople (possibly from the ruins of the Great Imperial Palace or the Hippodrome).
Historians` opinion: this is most likely a legend, intended to emphasize the power of the Ottoman Empire, which gathered stones from different parts of the world under its dome. Architects and historians agree that Mimar Sinan likely used granite columns that were already in the city — for example, from the Hippodrome itself or from abandoned Byzantine structures. Transporting such huge monoliths from Lebanon or Egypt in the 16th century would have been technically very difficult and expensive, although not impossible for Sultan Suleiman. However, there is no documentary evidence of their "trophy" origin from specific temples. It is part of the folklore that makes the mosque`s history even more fascinating.
About the Four Minarets and Ten Balconies of the Süleymaniye Mosque
This is a reliable historical fact and part of Sinan`s architectural design, intended to glorify the sultan`s place in the dynasty.
Four Minarets: Suleiman was indeed the fourth sultan to rule in Istanbul after its conquest by Mehmed II. The number four symbolizes his position in the dynastic line of Ottoman rulers who reigned in the new capital.
Ten Balconies (şerefe): Suleiman was the tenth sultan of the Ottoman dynasty (counting from the founder of the empire, Osman I). The total number of balcony-sheferefs on all four minarets (for example, two minarets have three balconies each and two have two each) adds up to ten. This emphasizes his ordinal number among all the preceding rulers of the dynasty.
Panoramic View from the Terrace at the Süleymaniye Mosque
Be sure to go to the inner terrace of the complex overlooking the Golden Horn. From here, you get one of the best and most picturesque views of Istanbul, which is definitely worth capturing.
Useful Information for Tourists
The mosque is located in the historic Fatih district, Vefa neighborhood. The easiest way to get there is by tram to the Eminönü or Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı stops, from where it`s about a ten-minute leisurely walk uphill. You can also take the metro and get off at Vezneciler station.
The Süleymaniye Mosque is open for visits daily, but entry for tourists is only possible during breaks between prayers. The main visiting times are from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:45 PM to 3:45 PM. On Fridays, the holy day for Muslims, the mosque may be closed to tourists until after noon. It`s best to plan your visit for the morning to avoid large crowds.
Entry to the mosque grounds and the mausoleums is completely free. The tombs are usually open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
As in all active mosques, strict rules apply. You must remove your shoes upon entry; for convenience, you can bring a bag to carry them. Clothing should cover shoulders and knees. Women must cover their heads with a scarf — there are usually shared scarves available at the entrance for those who come without one. While inside, try to be quiet and not disturb those praying.
A visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque can be combined with a walk to the Grand Bazaar, which is just a ten-minute walk away. This allows you to experience the contrast between the spiritual grandeur of history and the vibrant, colorful life of modern Istanbul.
The Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Istanbul. It stands on a hill in the city center and is clearly visible from many districts. By visiting it, you will understand why the city`s residents themselves consider this mosque the most beautiful. It is not as crowded with tourists as the Blue Mosque, but here you can better feel the spirit of the Ottoman Empire.
