The Most Important Works of Mimar Sinan

Leaving a golden mark in the history with the works he constructed, Mimar Sinan well deserved his fame. Mimar Sinan, also known as Koca Sinan (The Great Sinan), served as the chief architect during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, Selim II and Murat III in the Ottoman Period and left great works behind.

With numerous works apart from Selimiye Mosque, which he called his "Work of Mastership",  the architect is famous and respected not only in our country but also worldwide. Here are some of the most important works of Mimar Sinan, who managed to pack numerous valuable works into his 99-year life.

Suleymaniye Mosque / Istanbul

Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the most important works of classical Ottoman architecture, is one of the works of Mimar Sinan belonging to his apprenticeship period. Constituting an important part of Suleymaniye Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque stands tall with its splendor on an area of 3,500 square meters. Having been built by the order of Suleiman the Magnificent, this masterpiece is one of the most important valuable architectural elements of Istanbul.

Selimiye Mosque / Edirne

Selimiye Mosque, one of the works of mastership of Mimar Sinan, was included in UNESCO's Temporary World Heritage List in 2000. With must-see tiles, marbles and examples of calligraphy, Selimiye Mosque is a marvel of engineering with four precious minarets, decorative elements made of mother-of-pearl and the single dome, which was built without being supported by the half-dome.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque / İstanbul

Located in Uskudar, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is one of the most important works of Mimar Sinan. This mosque, where the sunrise and moonrise is visible between the two minarets of the mosque in April and May, is an architectural masterpiece and a marvel of engineering. Having been built for Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, this mosque is one of the examples best reflecting the genius of famous architect Sinan.

Haseki Hamami (Bath)

Having been built by Mimar Sinan by the order Hurrem Sultan, the bath is situated between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The most important feature of Haseki Hamami, also known as the Hurrem Sultan Hamami (Bath), which stands out with the magnificent dome, is that separate sections for males and females are on the same axis. With hot rooms being adjacent, the changing rooms are situated at both ends of the axis.

Lala Pasha Mosque / Erzurum

Having been compared to a diamond in the book "Bes Sehir" written by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar, Lala Pasha Mosque was built by Mimar Sinan by the order of Lala Mustafa Pasha. With a decretory inscription tablet, written by the order Mehmet IV, at the entrance, the mosque has 3 doors and 28 windows. 

Aqueduct of Kirkcesme / Istanbul

The Aqueduct of Kirkcesme, the largest water complex at the time, was built so as to consist of 33 giant aqueducts. Having been constructed to meet the water needs of Istanbul, this aqueduct was designed to supply water from Belgrad Forests. The Aqueduct of Kirkcesme is just one of the marvels of engineering built by Mimar Sinan. 

Behram Pasha Mosque / Diyarbakir

Having been built by Mimar Sinan by the order of Behram Pasha, the Governor of Diyarbakir, this mosque is one of the works reflecting the unique architecture of Diyarbakir. With impressive stonemasonry, Behram Pasha Mosque stands out with its contemporary compression style and is one of the most precious examples of its age.