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.
