SELIMIYE MOSQUE, Edirne, Turkey

2006.05.02

Often compared to his contemporary Michelangelo in the west, Mimar Sinan was the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire.  Out of the 370+ projects in his 50-year career, the famous chief architect of the Ottoman Empire considered Selimiye Mosque his true masterpiece.  The UNESCO seems to agree on this and granted Selimiye Mosque the status of a world heritage.  The huge complex is organized as a külliye, with a wide range of functions managed by the mosque.  At Selimiye, Sinan experimented with various configuration of domes, semi-domes and galleries to form an impressive and unified interior bathed with natural light.  The famous mosque was even depicted on the Turkish 10,000 lira banknote from 1982 – 1995.

A statue of Mimar Sinan was erected in front of the Mosque to commemorate his architectural achievement.

Instead of a series of small domes, Sinan built a large central dome instead.  The size of the dome is similar to the one at Hagia Sophia.

As a külliye, the mosque complex also includes schools, covered market, clock house, outer courtyard and library, all being managed under one single institution.

Four identical minarets were erected by Sinan instead of a series of distinctive minarets like many of its predecessors.

At the four corners, minarets point up to the sky.

The interior is dominated by a series of semi domes and the central dome.  Lines are symmetrical, simple and elegant.

Just like the Hagia Sophia, celestial windows are provided at the dome base to lighten up the interior.

Supported by eight pillars, the dome is a stunning spectacle from below.

A drinking fountain is housed under a richly decorated structure.

Considered as one of the finest in Turkey, the mihrab is visible from any location in the mosque.

Several circles of lights are suspended over the vivid carpet to provide a warm ambience in the evening.