Highlights
The Genius of Architecture Mimar Sinan
"Koca Sinan" of Ottoman architecture, whose name we have all heard at least once and whose traces can be found on many streets in Turkey. He is an architectural genius who is famous all over the world. So who is this architect who left his mark on the Ottoman period? Here is Mimar Sinan, the cornerstone of the history of architecture.
Life
Born in 1490 in the village of Ağırnas in Kayseri, Mimar Sinan started to take part in construction works in the palace when he came to Istanbul at the age of 22 during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim. Later, Sinan, who aspired to be an architect, had the opportunity to work alongside famous architects of the era. With this opportunity, he worked in constructions such as inns, fountains and tombs of the period. Later on, he built a bridge over the Prut River in three days during the Moldovan expedition he participated in and managed to win the appreciation of Suleiman the Magnificent, the sultan of that period. In the same year, he was promoted to chief architect. Afterwards, Sinan saw Southern Europe with the expeditions he participated in, had the opportunity to examine many famous works and he himself contributed many valuable works to Ottoman architecture.
Some of his works
If we wanted to describe all the works of Koca Sinan, this would take a long time. Because during his 99 years of life, he brought 375 works of architecture including 81 mosques, 51 masjids, 26 darülkurra, 17 imarethane, 55 madrasahs, 17 mausoleums, 3 hospitals, 8 bridges, 36 palaces, 20 caravanserais, 48 baths and 8 cellars. In each of these, we can actually see Sinan's architectural features. His skillful use of the sun in his works is an example of this.
Apprenticeship Work Sehzade Mosque
It is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, which he called his apprenticeship work. The mosque, which still fascinates those who see it with its first-day splendor, was built by Suleiman the Magnificent between 1543-1548. Next to the mosque is the Şehzade Tomb, covered with colorful tiles.
Journeyman's Work Suleymaniye Mosque
This mosque, also located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, is the mosque that Sinan described as his journeyman work. The mosque, which displays all the features of classical Ottoman architecture, was built as part of the Süleymaniye Complex. The mosque has 4 minarets and 10 balconies and these have important meanings. The number of minarets means that Sultan Suleiman was the 4th sultan after the conquest of Istanbul. The number of cheers means that Sultan Süleyman was the 10th sultan.
Masterpiece Selimiye Mosque
Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is the mosque he called "my masterpiece". In 2000, UNESCO included Selimiye Mosque and Complex on the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites and in 2011 it was registered as a World Heritage Site. The Iznik tiles, marbles and calligraphy used inside are the prominent features of the mosque.
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