BLOG

Mimar Sinan, who created countless works in the Ottoman Empire that spread across three continents, built unique structures in many different parts of İstanbul throughout his life. These works, which coincide with the rise of the Ottoman Empire, left deep marks in the history of world architecture, as well as being magnificent. Let's take a look at 5 Mimar Sinan works that shaped the silhouette of İstanbul and defied the centuries.

The Mağlova Aqueduct That Meets the Water Needs of İstanbul

You can come across a structure that is similar to the Bozdoğan Aqueduct in the Kemerburgaz City Forest. This structure, known as the Mağlova Aqueduct, was designed by Mimar Sinan in the 16th century to meet the water needs of İstanbul and has survived to the present day. What makes the Mağlova Aqueduct unique and lasts to the present day is the engineering practices that are used in its design. This aqueduct, which has a road on it, serves as a bridge that allows people to cross the road in addition to carrying water.

The structure, which draws attention with its three different insurance systems for high flow or floods and its pyramid-shaped foot, is the only aqueduct built in this way today. It is seen that Mimar Sinan tried the acoustic system that he used in his mosque design again in the Mağlova Aqueduct. With the opening of the Kemerburgaz City Forest by the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 2019, it has become possible to visit Mağlova Aqueduct. You can also encounter Mağlova Aqueduct on pleasant trekking routes.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque Built for the Padishah's Daughter

There are two mosques built by Mimar Sinan in Edirnekapı and Üsküdar in the name of Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent. The first mosque in Üsküdar took 8 years to build, while the mosque in Edirnekapı was completed in a short time of 3 years. The difference between the mosque in Edirnekapı is that there are different structures such as a tomb, bathhouse and school around it.

What makes the mosques built in the name of Mihrimah Sultan interesting is their meaning. Inspired by Mihrimah, which means moon and the sun, Mimar Sinan planned for the moon and the sun to meet in Edirnekapı and Üsküdar. According to legend, on March 21, the birthday of Mihrimah Sultan, the sun sets at the mosque in Edirnekapı and the moon rises at the mosque in Üsküdar.

The Suleymaniye Mosque, Mimar Sinan's Journeyman's Work

On the third hill of İstanbul, which has seven hills, there is a unique structure that has survived to the present day in all its glory. The Suleymaniye Mosque, which Mimar Sinan called "my journeyman's work", was built for the thirtieth anniversary of Suleiman the Magnificent's accession to the throne and was completed in seven years. The fact that the graves of Suleiman and Hurrem, whose love has survived to the present day, are located here makes the Suleimaniye Mosque special. The four minarets of the Suleimaniye Mosque show that Suleiman was the fourth sultan to ascend to the throne after the conquest of İstanbul and its ten balconies show that he was the tenth sultan to ascend to the throne.

Two of the four columns supporting the dome of the mosque were brought from Egypt, one from an obelisk in İstanbul and one from the Temple of Artemis. It is thought that these four columns symbolize the four great caliphs of Islam. The wooden houses, madrasah and botanical garden surrounding the mosque, which attract attention with its stained glass and decorations, transform this place into a unique historical area.

Şehzadebaşı Mosque Known for Its Tragic Story

Şehzadebaşı Mosque, known as the apprenticeship work of Mimar Sinan, has a tragic story. While the construction of the mosque, which began in 1543, was ongoing, Kanuni learned that his son Mehmet had passed away and wanted the name of the mosque to be Şehzadebaşı. The mosque, which was completed in five years, has four half domes and two minarets. It is an architectural first for a mosque to have the main dome supported by four half domes. The mosque, built in Saraçhane, the heart of trade in the Ottoman Empire, has preserved its original tiles and decorations to this day. In the courtyard of the mosque, there is a madrasah, and an almshouse established to help the poor. The graves of Şehzade Mehmet and Şehzade Cihangir are also here.

One of the Oldest Bridges in İstanbul: Suleiman the Magnificent Bridge

When Suleiman the Magnificent set out on his Szigetvar campaign, he saw that his army was having difficulty crossing the Lake Büyükçekmece and ordered a bridge to be built here. Although Suleiman the Magnificent could not see the completion of the bridge because he passed away during the campaign, the construction was completed in 1567, during the reign of Selim II. The bridge, which was built on very soft ground at the point where the Sea of ​​Marmara and Lake Büyükçekmece meet, once again demonstrates the intelligence of Mimar Sinan. The bridge, which consists of 4 separate sections and 28 arches, is 636 meters long and 7.17 meters wide. The bridge, which has an uneven structure, is considered the symbol of Büyükçekmece and creates an admirable image with its silhouette reflected in the lake when illuminated in the evening.

Accommodate at Elite World Hotels & Resorts While Discovering Mimar Sinan's İstanbul!

You can choose Elite World Hotels & Resorts for a privileged accommodation experience while visiting Mimar Sinan's works that spread across different parts of İstanbul that have managed to survive to the present day. After visiting Mimar Sinan's works in the historical peninsula and its surroundings throughout the day, you can relieve the tiredness of the day at the spa and wellness center of Elite World Hotels & Resorts.

You can choose Elite World İstanbul Taksim or Elite World Comfy İstanbul Taksim for a stay in the heart of İstanbul and Elite World Grand İstanbul Küçükyalı for a unique accommodation experience on the Anatolian side. If you prefer to stay on the European side, Elite World İstanbul Florya and Elite World Grand İstanbul Basın Ekspres might be the ideal choice!