Ottoman Suleymaniye Mosque Begun

1550

The imperial architect Mimar Sinan laid the foundations of the Suleymaniye Mosque on a hill overlooking the Golden Horn, commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent. Seven years later the enormous dome, fountains, kitchens, and medreses would crown Istanbul. Sinan called it one of his apprentice works, but the city disagreed. Sinan's dome rivals Hagia Sophia's dimensions while appearing to float on cascading half-domes, establishing the classical Ottoman architectural style.