One of the most iconic architects in history, Mimar Sinan (literally meaning ”Sinan the Architect”) was born in Kayseri, in the Ottoman Empire. He was the chief imperial architect of the Empire. He served the sultans Suleiman the Magnificent, Selim II, and Murad III. He remained in his post for about 50 years. In his time, he was called Koca Mimar Sinan which means the Grand Architect Sinan. The imperial architect was an exceptional engineer and a mathematician as well.
Here are some of the most iconic works of Mimar Sinan:
Selimiye Mosque
Sultan Selim II, son of Suleiman the Magnificent, commissioned the construction of the Selimiye Mosque. Located in Edirne, the Ottoman imperial mosque was considered by Sinan to be his masterpiece. Built between 1568 and 1575, the Selimiye Mosque is considered one of the greatest achievements of Ottoman architecture. It is included on the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
As Edirne is a flat city, the Selimiye Mosque was planned on a monumental scale, dominating the cityscape. Located 75 meters above the water, the mosque is visible from every corner of the city.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent, the Süleymaniye Mosque represents the peak of the Ottoman Empire. It stands on the Third Hill of the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul. The mosque’s courtyard has a breathtaking view of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. An inscription specifies the construction date of the imperial mosque as 1550 and the inauguration date as 1557. However, the work on the construction probably continued for a few years after the inauguration.
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Edirnekapı
Mihrimah Sultan, the much-loved daughter of Suleiman and Hürrem, commissioned the construction of the mosque. It stands at the summit of the Sixth Hill near the highest point of Istanbul. There is no certain foundation date, but researchers suggest that the construction started in 1563 and was completed in 1570. The complex includes a madrasa, a hammam, a tomb, and a row of shops that provide financial support for the complex. The hammam is still in use today.
According to a story, Mimar Sinan was in love with Mihrimah. To impress her, he built a bridge on the Prut River in just thirteen days. He asked for her hand but Suleiman rejected his offer, which caused him to focus solely on his art and architecture.
There are two mosques named ”Mihrimah Sultan” built by Mimar Sinan. The first mosque is located in Üsküdar, on the Asian side, while the second mosque is in Edirnekapı, on the European side. The mosques, despite being on different continents, look at one another.
Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Kadırga
Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmed Pasha commissioned 3 mosques in Istanbul during his post to show his power and influence, all built by Mimar Sinan. The Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque in the Kadırga neighborhood in the Fatih district is famous for its steep location and the fine Iznik tiles that decorate the interior walls. The mosque was completed in 1572 and is among the most splendent mosques Sinan built for the grand viziers.
The mosque is also dedicated to Esmahan Sultan, Sokullu’s wife. In the construction of the mosque’s mihrab and mimbar, actual pieces from the Kaaba in Mecca were used.
