Selimiye Mosque

Edirne, Turkey

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The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey, is widely regarded as the masterpiece of the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and a pinnacle of classical Ottoman architecture. Commissioned by Sultan Selim II, it was built between 1568 and 1575, just outside the city’s center on a prominent hill, dominating Edirne's skyline with its massive dome and four slender minarets.

The mosque’s central dome, approximately 31 meters in diameter and 42 meters high, surpasses the size of the Hagia Sophia’s dome and is supported innovatively by eight pillars.

The mosque complex includes madrasas, a market, a library, and a theological college, forming a harmonious külliye that served religious and educational purposes. The interior is richly decorated with Iznik tiles, intricate marble work, and calligraphy, highlighting artistic excellence from the Ottoman era. The mosque’s architectural and cultural significance earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011, symbolizing Ottoman imperial power and artistic achievement at its height.