Historical Places in Istanbul, Suleymaniye Mosque

Istanbul Suleymaniye Mosque

Suleymaniye Mosque is located in Fatih; just 15 minutes to Sultanahmet by tram.

Suleymaniye Mosque built on top of the third hill of historical Istanbul is one of the biggest mosques of the city.

The mosque was built between 1550 and 1557. Its setting and plan are particularly pleasing, featuring gardens and a three-sided forecourt with a central domed ablutions fountain. The four minarets with their 10 beautiful şerefes (balconies) are said to represent the fact that Süleyman was the fourth of the Osmanlı sultans to rule the city and the 10th sultan after the establishment of the empire.

Mosque complex of Süleymaniye includes a hospital, primary school, hamam (Turkish bath), a caravanserai (lodge for travelling tradesmen), four medreses (Kur’an school), medical college, public kitchen (to serve food for the poor) and mausoleums of the sultan, his wife Roxelane (Hürrem Sultan) and the rest of his family.