Edirne, Turkey
Coordinates: 41.678060, 26.559440
The Selimiye Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque, which is located in the city of Edirne (formerly Adrianople), Turkey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mosque was commissioned by Sultan Selim II, and was built by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan between 1568 and 1575.
Edirne is the third capital of Ottoman Empire and Selimiye is an important landmark of the city. This mosque is considered as the masterpiece of the world famous architect Sinan. The mosque was completed when he was 80 years old. A real pearl.
Selimiye Mosque was built at the peak of Ottoman military and cultural power. As the empire started to grow, the emperor had found an immediate urge to centralize the city. Sinan was asked to help to construct the Selimiye Mosque, making the mosque distinctive and served the purpose of centralizing the city.
Architect Sinan was a man of symbols. One dome one god. 99 windows, 99 names of Allah. 12 balconies at the minarets, Selim being the 12th ruler of the Ottomans. This mosque is his master piece.
This grand mosque stands at the center of a külliye (complex of a hospital, school, library and/or baths around a mosque) which comprises a medrese (Islamic academy teaches both Islamic and scientific lessons), a dar-ül hadis (Al-Hadith school), a timekeeper’s room and an arasta (row of shops).
Impressive monument, architectural masterpiece of the famous period architect Mimar Sinann. Admire the enormous dome which was built to surpass in excellence the Ayia Sophia Basilica in Istanbul. Take your time and walk around the huge complex which is consisted of the mosque, kitchen for the poor and a bazaar.
The minarets from the corners of the mosque rise to over 70 metres and are the hallmark of the city.
Know This
The entrance is free of charge, and it is definitely worth a visit. They have a scarf for women to borrow at the entrance, so you do not need to bring your own.
Around it, the city was centralized. You can walk and gaze for hours at the marble gates and floors, the carvings and frescoes.
Try to visit the place in the afternoon so that after the night falls you will see all the lights of the mosque lit. You will fall in love and you will feel like you have not taken enough pictures.
