Süleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Complex is a collection of buildings built by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557 by Architect Sinan. The complex, which represents the combination of Sinan's art and Suleiman's political power, is also a symbol of the classical period that conveys information about the economic and cultural life when its functions are taken into account.

Located on 70 acres of land, the 4,000 square meter mosque in the center of the complex is surrounded by mausoleums, madrasas of different characteristics, darülhadis, darüşşifa, bimarhane, school, imaret, inn, hammam, library and shops. The construction of the Süleymaniye Mosque began in 1550 and was completed in seven years. The mosque has four minarets, the number of minarets representing the fact that Kanuni was the fourth Ottoman sultan after the Conquest, and the minaret on the minarets representing the 10th sultan.

After its restoration in the 1960s, Süleymaniye Mosque has undergone partial repairs until today. In 2007, the Restoration that started in 2007 was handled comprehensively. In the restoration works, all cement-based plaster and joints within the work were scraped, the original hand drawings were reached after the scraping works and the surfaces were conserved and taken under protection. During the scraping works, unknown tile panels were uncovered and protection measures were taken. The facade was cleaned and the stone surfaces were reinforced. The lead cover and substructure on the roofs were renewed. Wooden architectural elements were sprayed, cleaned, deteriorated surfaces repaired and traditionally polished. The outer courtyard walls and gates were restored by revealing their original texture and landscaping was done.