Suleymaniye Mosque Audio Guide

• The Suleymaniye Mosque is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, except during prayer times.
• Entrance is free, but donations are encouraged.
• Visitors should be respectful and quiet while inside the mosque.
• During prayer times, tourists are asked not to enter the prayer hall.

The Suleymaniye Mosque

The Suleymaniye Mosque is located on one of the seven hills in Istanbul, making it not only an important landmark but also a great spot for incredible views of the city. The mosque was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, on the orders of Sultan Suleyman I, also known as Suleyman the Magnificent.

The mosque isn't just a place of worship; it's a large complex that once included a soup kitchen, a library, a madrasa (school), a garden, and more. Today, many parts of the mosque are open to tourists, while it is still used for prayer. For example, the old soup kitchen is now a cozy cafe called Daruzziyaye, where visitors can enjoy tea.

The Suleymaniye Mosque is historically significant for several reasons. First, it was designed by Mimar Sinan, the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire. Second, important figures are buried on the mosque grounds, including Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana). The mosque was built as a symbol of Suleyman's achievements. The four minarets represent the fact that he was the fourth sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

Over the years, the mosque has gone through several restorations. The first major restoration happened in the 17th century after a fire damaged the mosque in 1660. The architect Fossatti was hired to restore it, but his changes introduced a more Baroque style, which changed the mosque's original look. Another fire during World War I caused further damage, and the mosque was restored again in 1956.

Visitor Information

If you plan to visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, it is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, except during prayer times. Entrance is free, but donations are encouraged. The mosque's location also makes it a great starting point to explore other famous places in Istanbul, like the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Bazaar.

If you’re deciding between the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Blue Mosque, you should see both to decide which one you like more. If you want to visit both in one day, it's a good idea to start at the Grand Bazaar, walk to the Suleymaniye Mosque, and then head downhill to the Spice Bazaar. Keep in mind that the walk uphill to the Suleymaniye Mosque from the Spice Bazaar is steep!