Overview:

Selimiye Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in Edirne, Turkey. Built in the 16th century by the Ottoman sultan Selim II, it was designed by the legendary Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The mosque is one of the two major mosques in Edirne, the other being the Şehzade Mosque. Selimiye Mosque is considered to be one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture, and it is noted for its enormous dome and the four slender minarets that encircle it. The mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is used today as a mosque, a museum, and a place of worship. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

1. Minaret: The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is renowned for its massive four minarets. The four slender minarets standing 76 meters tall dominate the skyline and are a very picturesque feature of the landscape. 2. Dome: The Selimiye Mosque's dome is the third largest of any mosque in the world. This massive 16,000-ton dome is 31 meters in diameter and rests on pendentives which have a diameter of 14 meters each. 3. Courtyards: The Selimiye Mosque boasts three large courtyards each divided up into smaller sections and connected to the others. The beautiful pools in the courtyards, along with their tiled and marble mess are very impressive and provide a great place to relax. 4. Intricate Carvings: The Selimiye Mosque has extremely intricate carvings and decorations throughout its interiors and exteriors. Each section of the mosque is beautifully decorated with carvings of Islamic inspirations and works of art. 5. Accessibility: The Selimiye Mosque is easily accessible and is located very close to the city center in Edirne. This makes it easy to visit and explore the mosque and its impressive features. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

Selimiye Mosque is a grand Ottoman imperial mosque located in the city of Edirne, Turkey. It was commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Selim II and built between 1568 and 1574. Designed by the renowned Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan, it represents his finest work. The mosque is the centerpiece of Edirne and famous throughout the Islamic world, having been described as "the perfect mosque" by some. The original construction of Selimiye Mosque began in March 1568 and was completed in August 1574. It replaced an earlier Byzantine church there and was built upon the highest location in Edirne and constructed to scale within the pre-existing walls of the city. The mosque is a domed building and is composed of four main sections: a prayer hall, four courtyards, a portico entrance, and a fountain. Selimiye Mosque's design was inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and is one of the most renowned examples of Ottoman architecture. The interior of the mosque features a central dome that is 55 meters high and an ornately decorated mihrab. The mosque is beautifully decorated with elaborate tiles and stained-glass windows and the courtyard is surrounded by marble columns and decorated with stylized Ottoman motifs. Throughout its history, Selimiye Mosque has survived various disasters, including earthquakes in 1668 and 1747. Despite this, the mosque remains standing and is one of the most important cultural landmarks in Turkey. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Selimiye Mosque is one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the world. It is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and was designed by the famed Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in 1569. 2. The mosque is built on a hilltop overlooking the city of Edirne in northwestern Turkey. It is named after Selim II, the Ottoman Sultan at the time. 3. The dome of the mosque is the highest of any Ottoman-era mosque, at 43 meters high. It is said that when designed, Mimar Sinan was inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. 4. The mosque complex consists of the main mosque, a madrasa, a covered bazaar, four minarets, two stone bridges, and a clock tower. 5. Selimiye Mosque has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. 6. Every year, on the 21st of June, locals and Turks from all over the country come to pay their respects to Mimar Sinan and celebrate his masterpiece. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era