Sinan is without a doubt one of the most important and revered figures in Ottoman history. Born around 1490, Sinan trained as a military engineer, honing his skills while campaigning with the Ottoman Janissaries until he was appointed chief royal architect and civil engineer. During his lifetime, Sinan served three sultans: Suleiman I, Selim II and Murat III, and he went on to construct over three hundred different structures including hospitals, theological schools, mausoleums, inns, palaces, mosques and more.

While his impressive portfolio is scattered about the lands of the former Ottoman Empire, many of Architect Sinan’s works are in Istanbul.  And, although the list is long, we’ve narrowed it down to a few of his best and most beautiful:

Ceiling of Selimiye Mosque in EdirneSuleymaniye Mosque

The largest of Istanbul’s mosques, Suleymaniye Mosque occupies an iconic spot on the city’s skyline and is best appreciated at sunset when its silhouette is at its most haunting. Built between 1550 and 1557 for Sultan Suleiman I, its design was inspired by that of the great Hagia Sophia, with its enormous dome suspended at a height of 53m. Its modest interior belies a construction of tremendous skill.

Rustem Pasha Mosque

This tiny mosque is one of the prettiest in the city. Built above a row of ancient shops in accordance with Ottoman tradition, Rustem Pasha Mosque is celebrated for the spectacular Iznik tiles which adorn its interior in a mass of blue, red and white.  The Mosque is modeled on Saints Sergius & Bacchus Coptic monastery church with an octagonal form and small semi-domes in its corners. A little off the most worn track in Eminonu, it offers some welcome serenity in amongst the Istanbul chaos.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque (Uskudar)

Over on the Asian side, the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque enjoys a breathtaking location on the shores of the Marmara Sea. This landmark mosque was built between 1546 and 1548 and is characterised by its slender minarets, spacious basement and dome structure which is comprise of one large dome flanked by three smaller semi-domes. Also known as the ‘Iskele’ (‘Jetty’) Mosque, this is one of the first sights to greet visitors arriving by boat in Uskudar.

Selimiye Mosque

Okay, so it’s not in Istanbul. But it would be a crime to miss out Sinan’s self-proclaimed masterpiece, situated in the old Ottoman capital of Edirne which is an easy day trip from Istanbul. Turning his back on many of the constraints associated with traditional Ottoman architecture, Sinan went about creating a structure which optimised space and light to a truly spectacular degree. Its mammoth central dome is larger than the Hagia Sophia’s, and is supported by eight elephantine piers with many windows to allow as much light as possible to flood its interior.

Cemberlitas & Suleymaniye Hamams

While mosques may have been Sinan’s forte, he was also responsible for some of Istanbul’s most beautiful hamams (Turkish baths). The spectacular Cemberlitas Hamam was commissioned by Sultan Selim II’s wife as a charitable foundation for the poor, while the nearby Suleymaniye Hamam (part of the Suleymaniye Mosque complex), dating to 1557, is among the city’s oldest bathhouses. Though functionality is key to these hamams’ design, the refined elegance personifies Sinan’s style. 

Few architects have had such a profound impact on a place as Sinan, and experiencing his masterpieces gives some indication of the beauty and skill associated with Islamic art and architecture. Thanks to his fixation on light and space, he has created many sanctuaries of calm and cool in an otherwise rather hectic city. Often referred to as the ‘Ottoman Michelangelo’ because of his inspirational talent, Sinan’s reputation lives on with gusto.

For more information on Istanbul and a comprehensive guide to everything the city has to offer, please visit My Destination Istanbul.

By Helen Simpson, My Destination Istanbul
July 2011