Suleiman Mosque

The Suleiman Mosque (Turkish: Suleymaniye Camii) is a grand 16th-century mosque in Istanbul, Turkey built by Suleiman the Magnificent.

The Suleiman Mosque was built on the order of sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557.

The main entrance of the mosque is in Beyazit next to the garden of Istanbul University.The mosque is modeled in part on the style of a Byzantine basilica, particularly the Hagia Sophiawhich is situated in Sultanahmet Square, which was perhaps a conscious move on the part of the sultan to create a continuity and a symbolic connection with Istanbul's past.

The Suleiman Mosque was ravaged by a fire in 1660 and was restored on the command of sultan Mehmed IV by architect Fossati. The restoration, however, changed the mosque into a more baroque style, damaging the great work severely.

Once Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum was situated in the complex of Suleymaniye Mosque,but in 1983 Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum was moved into Ibrahim Pasa Palace,in Sultanahmet.The mosque was restored to its original glory during the 19th century but during World War I the courtyard was used as a weapons depot and when some of the ammunition ignited, the mosque suffered another fire. Not until 1956 was it restored again. Today, the Suleiman Mosque is one of the most popular sights in Istanbul.

Source: http://www.pointsfromturkey.com