Süleymaniye Mosque

The mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, in Istanbul

The mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, or Süleymaniye mosque, is one of the largest imperial mosques of Istanbul, perched on a hill dominating the Golden Horn. The Istanbul audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this masterpiece of the architect Mimar Sinan, raised under the reign of the sultan whose legendary opulence earned the nickname of Magnificent, at the apogee of the Ottoman Empire.

History

You arrive at the mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, often shunned by the tourist circuits of the city centre but extraordinary and finally quite accessible. Its position on a hill offers it a sublime view, that leaves an exquisite memory. Just its name makes you dream: Suleiman the Magnificent, legendary sultan whose evocation transports the imagination towards sumptuous palaces peopled with princes dressed in satin. This image of opulence was born of the diplomatic visit of the ambassador of Charles V to Constantinople: it is his marvelled account, on his return to Europe, that earned the sultan the nickname of Magnificent. It is indeed under his reign that the Ottoman Empire knew its apogee. When the ambassador discovered the sultan seated on a throne of gold, he, his court and even his horses covered with fabrics woven with gold threads and set with precious stones, he remained stunned, and the West kept this sublimated image. The mosque, work of the architect Mimar Sinan, embodies this grandeur. You will visit it with respect, in the calm conducive to contemplation.

What to see

Here you admire, with respect, one of the largest imperial mosques of Istanbul, masterpiece of Mimar Sinan perched on a hill dominating the Golden Horn; raised at the apogee of the Ottoman Empire under Suleiman the Magnificent, whose opulence dazzled the West, it offers a sublime view of the city. The Süleymaniye mosque is a major place of prayer, to be visited with respect. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The mosque of Suleiman stands on a hill dominating the Grand Bazaar and the Golden Horn, in Istanbul, reachable on foot. It is a place of worship in activity, whose access is made in the respect of the services and of contemplation, outside the hours of prayer; the hours vary. It is best to enquire before coming, to adopt correct attire and to remove your shoes at the entrance.

Why is Suleiman nicknamed the Magnificent?

This nickname was born of the marvelled account of the ambassador of Charles V, who discovered in Constantinople a sultan seated on a throne of gold, his court and his horses covered with fabrics woven with gold and precious stones; under his reign, the Ottoman Empire knew its apogee, and his mosque, work of Mimar Sinan perched on a hill, embodies its grandeur.

Where is the mosque of Suleiman in Istanbul?

On a hill dominating the Grand Bazaar and the Golden Horn, in Istanbul, in Turkey.