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A journey in the footsteps of Mimar Sinan (2)
Rüstem Paşa’s one-of-a-kind ceramic tiles
Following the Süleymaniye, the Rüstem Paşa Mosque is one of the most important mosques built by Mimar Sinan before 1568. It is located in İstanbul’s Tahtakale neighborhood, in the Hasırcılar Çarşısı. The mosque, which appears plain and void of any decoration on its exterior, saved all of its beauty and grace for the interior. Its tulip-shaped ceramic tiles in particular are considered to be the finest examples of Ottoman tile work. The mosque, constructed in 1561, was built for Rüstem Paşa, who in addition to being Süleyman the Magnificent’s son-in-law, was also one of his viziers.
The Mağlova aqueduct was built by Mimar Sinan over the Alibey creek in İstanbul. Construction began in 1554 and was completed in 1562. The aqueduct is located in the village of Cebeci, which is itself located within İstanbul’s Gaziosmanpaşa district. Despite suffering extensive damage during a flood in 1563, it was repaired and returned to its original form the very same year. Over a fourth of the structure is submerged under water in the reservoir of the Alibeyköy Dam. The aqueduct continues to carry water to the city of İstanbul. This structure is considered a milestone in water-related architecture.
The Büyükçekmece Bridge, located in İstanbul’s Büyükçekmece district, long provided a connection between Büyükçekmece and the village of Mimar Sinan. This bridge also crossed the point at which the Büyükçekmece Lake met the Sea of Marmara. Historical texts make mention of a bridge in the very same place during the Byzantine era as well. Construction on the bridge began when Süleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566) set out on the Szigeth expedition and was completed during the era of Sultan Selim II (1566-1574) within one year.
The mosque with 147 windows: The Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque
The Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque, built in İstanbul’s Tophane neighborhood and adjacent to the sea, is covered by two half domes and one central dome. Its dome is similar to that of the Hagia Sophia. There are plenty of windows, so the mosque receives a great deal of sunlight. In fact, the mosque has 147 windows in all, with 24 of them dotting the rim of the dome. Next to the mosque is a fountain adorned with calligraphy and ceramic tiles.
The Sokollu Mehmet Paşa Mosque
Sokollu Mehmet Paşa Mosque at Azapkapı is located at the Galata foot of the Unkapanı Atatürk Bridge in the Azapkapı neighborhood. It was built by Sinan for Sokollu Mehmet Paşa in 1578. Modeled after the Selimiye Mosque, its lower level is a vault. Of all the mosques located by the sea, this mosque has the strongest foundation. Its entrance faces the bridge, and one enters through a pathway leading from the road. Unlike other mosques, its sole minaret is on the left-hand side.
Magnum opus of Ottoman architecture
Mimar Sinan has designated the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne as his masterpiece. It is also considered an Ottoman masterpiece. The mosque, which practically became a symbol of the Ottoman Empire, is located at the heart of Edirne, in what were formerly known as the Sarıbayır and Kavak city centers. Its construction began in 1568, when Mimar Sinan was 80 years old. Even though the opening ceremony of the mosque was planned for Nov. 27, 1574, it had to be delayed to March 14, 1575, as Sultan Selim II was on his deathbed. The mosque is a visual wonder with its dome measuring 31.5 meters in diameter and its four slender minarets, which line the mosque’s octagonal body. There is a small upside-down tulip ceramic tile on the marble basin inside the mosque. There are a number of stories explaining why the tulip is upside down.
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