Selimiye Mosque – Edirne

Selimiye Mosque, which became the symbol of this city by identifying with Edirne, which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire before Istanbul, is the work of Mimar Sinan, one of the greatest and genius architects of the world. Mimar Sinan, who lived in the years when the Ottoman Empire was at the peak of its power, is a genius who shaped this power with architecture, and it can be said that he reflected the power of the empire with the Selimiye Mosque and created the peak point of Ottoman architecture. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to describe the mosque as one of the most favorite works of not only Ottoman but also world architectural history. The fact that Selimiye Mosque and Complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List is proof that this fact is accepted by the whole world.

The construction of Selimiye Mosque, which impresses its visitors with its magnificent appearance, was started in 1568 and could only be completed in 1575 with the work of approximately 15 thousand people. Although it shows its splendor even from far away, the noble admiration is felt when you enter the mosque. The dome in Selimiye Mosque represents one of the pinnacles of Mimar Sinan's profession. Despite having such a large dome, the feet supporting the dome were not allowed to divide the interior. It is possible to learn from historical sources that the Ottoman army took a break in Edirne and prayed in this mosque, where 6 thousand people could easily pray when they went on European expeditions. The minarets, located at the four corners of the mosque and each with three balconies, are among the most elegant of their kind in the world.