TURKEY ISTANBUL - FROM EMINONU TO SULEYMANIYE

FROM EMINONU TO SULEYMANIYE – FROM SULEYMANIYE TO EMINONU

The most important building in Sirkeci is the Sirkeci Gar Binasi ( SIrkeci Train Station ). The building was designed by foreign architects, as became the fashion in the later periods of Ottoman rule. It has been Istanbul’s gate to Europe and the arrival place of European visitors who were attracted by the mythical capital of Ottomans and the legendary East for decades.

The history of the building dates back to 1890. During t and the construction period a particular importance was attached to the harmony of this building with the Istanbul’s architectural character. Istanbul, which connects the East and the West, also created connection between European architecture and Oriental styles. There is a small museum in the Terminal are on permanent display.

The first building that strikes visitors to Eminonu is the Yeni Cami (New Mosque), which has always a flock of pigeons on the stairs and courtyard. Its construction commenced in 1597, but was completed in 1663. With the 66 year construction period the mosque has a distinctive place in the Ottoman history. 

The tiles and mother of pearl inlaid mahfill ( the raised platform for the sultan) are worth close inspection. The mosque is a part of a complex and another largest building in this complex is Mesir Carsisi (Spice Bazaar or Egyptian Bazaar), one of the oldest and most important covered markets of Istanbul. Goods from Egypt used to be sold here. At present, it sells spices and other gift items to visitors who drop by to shop while soaking up the atmosphere. One of the most visited spots of Istanbul; it is consequently still a meeting point of diverse cultures, as it has been the case throughout its history.

Being one of the most beautiful mosques of Istanbul, the Rustem Pasha Mosque was designed and built by Mimar Sinan,the imperial architect. It is situated off the main road along the Golden Horn and to reach it you have to pass through the narrow side streets. It was built on a raised platform so it commands the silhouette of Istanbul. It was commissioned by Ruslem Pasha, the Grand Vizier and Son in law of Sultan Suleyman the Magnifcent. Rustem Pasha had a reputation for meanness during his lifetime, but towards the end of his life he spent exorbitant amounts of money on the construction of this mosque and decorated it with the most exquisite Iznik tiles .Its interior is so rich that it can be considered a museum of tiles.

The next spot is easy to visit, as the minarets of Suleymaniye Mosque can be seen everywhere. After climbing a steep hill, you can arrive at the walls surrounding the mosque. If you just follow the walls you will shortly arrive at one of the courtyard gates.

The whole district is named after the mosque. Designed and built between 1550 and 1557 by Mimar Sinan , the master architect of the Ottoman Period, the Suleymaniyye Mosque and Complex was devoted to Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, who was also known as “ the Lawgiver”. The mosque indeed befitted the magnificence of Sultan Suleymanand and it was built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul. The mosque is the most monumental masterpiece built by Mimar Sinan in Istanbul.

Its monumental nature was to glorify the memory of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. It was also one of the works that ranked him among the greatest architects of the city. Mimar Sinan referred to Suleymaniye as “the work of my craftsmanship” and despite its glorious dimensions, it has fairly simple characteristics. Some consider that it was due to the Sultan’s modest, while others argue that Mimar Sinan designed it so that the architectural features of the building showed themselves without being clouded by decorative elements. Apart from a tile-clad Mihrab, the whole internl space s rather plain.

The interesting aspects of the mosque require some exploration. For example, of you wonder how the mosque has withstood frequent and powerful earthquakes or why not soot has accumulated under its domes despite the oil lamps and candles that have burnt for 450 years, or how its wonderful acoustic work, you can discover the answer here – in the hidden parts of Mimar Sinan’s genius. 

The foundations of the mosque were given a certain amount of elasticity by placing juniper piles and

 soot accumulation on the interior surfaces due to hundreds of candles and oil lamps, he found a very creative solution: the design of the mosque has created a ventilating current which brought all the soot to a special chamber situated over the entrance portal. The soot collected here was used to produce ink used in calligraphy employed in firmans, the imperial edicts. Yet another stroke of genius was employed in the central dome of the mosque. He placed 255 pots into the fabric of the dome and by doing so he improved the acoustics of the building and its thermal insulation. It was built as a multi minaret mosque. If a mosque has more than one minaret, it means that it was built either by a sultan or by some member of his royal household.

The other buildings of the complex extend over a large area and each building is rich and beautiful in its own way. The domed ceiling of the tomb of Suleyman the Magnificent was inlaid with precious stones and gives the impression that you are looking at the stars on a dark night.

Its wall is clad with splendid Iznik tiles. Another tomb in the courtyard belongs to Hurrem Sultan, the wife of Sultan Suleyman. The complex had 4 madrasahs and each was devoted to a different level of education. Its darussifa (hospital) was built like a modern training hospital. The darussifa had 2 departments, one of which was devoted to patients and the othe was for education. The plain tomb of Mimar Sinan was placed next to the complex as an independent building. Despite creating so many glorious buildings, this master of architecture opted to build a very plain tomb for himself, a fact that can only be explained by his modesty.

The BOTANICAL GARDEN OF ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY is situated behind the Suleymaniye Mosque and office of Istanbul’s mufti. A secret heaven, it has a rich collection of plants from all over the world. A visit is highly recommended; but prior permission is required.