Selimiye Mosque

Built in the 16th century by the legendary architect Mimar Sinan, Selimiye Mosque crowns the skyline of Edirne, the Ottoman capital before İstanbul. Recognized as Sinan’s “masterpiece,” the mosque exemplifies Ottoman architecture and urban planning with its surrounding külliye — a complex of educational and social buildings. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011.

Commissioned by Sultan Selim II in 1568 and completed in just seven years, the mosque showcases Sinan’s engineering genius. Its 85-meter minarets and massive dome (43m high, 31m wide) rest on eight grand columns, with fewer half-domes than earlier designs. Despite the structural challenge of large windows, Sinan achieved a luminous interior using careful planning.

Inside, the mosque dazzles with intricate marble work, İznik tiles featuring 101 tulip designs, and detailed ornaments — especially in the mihrab, minbar, and muezzin's mahfil.

Surrounding buildings include madrasas, a library, and a timekeeper’s house. The arasta (bazaar) supported the complex economically. Together, they reflect the Ottoman approach to combining worship, education, and community services.

Selimiye Mosque is not just a place of worship, but a symbol of art, faith, and innovation — a legacy that continues to inspire.

Address
Hatip Sokak 1, Edirne, Turkey

Established
1568-1575