Sülemaniye Mosque and Külliye 1551-1558 - History of Islamic Architecture (sitios de interés)
Descripción del sitio
Istanbul
Sülemaniye Camii and Külliye
1551- 1558
Architect Mimar Sinan
Sinan's Sülemaniye was intended to be the architectural answer to Justinian's Hagia Sophia, which had already served as a model for many other Ottoman mosques in Istanbul. Sinan's Sulimaniye surpasses in rational symmetry, and light-filled space all earlier Ottoman precedents, as well as the Hagia Sophia. It is possible that the dialogue between Istanbul and Italy contributed to Sinan's enthusiasm for symmetrical and rational forms, as promoted by writers like Alberti.
As a self-conscious representation of Süleyman's dream as a 'second Solomon' it also references the Dome of the Rock, built on the site of the Temple of Solomon, as well as Justinian's boast upon the completion of the Hagia Sophia: "Solomon, I have surpassed thee!" The Süleymaniye, similar in magnificence to the preceding structures, asserts Sultan Süleyman's historical importance. The structure is nevertheless smaller in size than its older archetype, the Hagia Sophia. - Following 3 Photos Rolf Gross, 1954/1990.
Iznik tiles on the türbe, the tomb of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and his wife Haseki Hürrem Sultan in the cemetery of the Süleymaniye. Mimar Sinan is also buried there.
Floor plan of the complex, showing (1) mosque, (2) mausoleum of Süleyman, (3) mausoleum of Hürrem, (4) Koran recitation school, (5) public fountain, (6) elementary school, (7) first (evvel) madrasa, (8) second (sani) madrasa, (9) remains of medical school, (10) hospital, (11) hospice, (12) guesthouse, (13) Sinan's tomb with domed sabil and empty plot of his endowed school and residence, (14) the janissary agha's residence, (15) third (salis) madrasa, (16) fourth (rabi) madrasa, (17) bathhouse, (18) hadith college, (19) madrasa near the palace of Fatma Sultan and Siyavus Pasa.
Text and above plans from Archnet.org
It seems befitting to end this description wirh Tizian's (1530) portrait of Süleyman the Magnificent
From Wikepedia.