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The centerpiece of Edirne is the UNESCO World Heritage listed Selimiye Mosque (Selimiye Camii). Considered one of the most important architectural achievements in Islam, this mosque can be seen from just about every vantage point in the city.
History
The Selimiye Mosque was built between 1568 and 1574 by renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, who considered it his masterpiece. It was commissioned by Sultan Selim II and was part of a large social complex.
Minarets
The Selimiye Mosque has four identical minarets on each corner. They stand 83 meters (272 feet) high. The slender minarets draw attention to the central dome.
Courtyard
A rectangular courtyard sits in front of the mosque. It’s surrounded on all four sides with a domed portico. The area of the courtyard is equal to the area of the prayer hall.
In the center of the courtyard is a beautiful fountain. The fountain is made of marble and has 12 sides.
The entrance to the prayer hall is on the courtyard. An intricately carved hood tops the entrance portal.
Prayer Hall
Mimar Sinan made it possible to see the mihrab from anywhere inside the prayer hall. The mosque also has a plain symmetrical interior, which is in contrast to most imperial Ottoman mosques. To allow natural light to enter the mosque, there are 999 windows in total.
Normally, the mihrab sits against the wall of the prayer hall. In the Selimiye Mosque, it sits in an alcove and is illuminated by windows on three sides. Both the mihrab and minbar are made of marble.
Dome
The Selimiye Mosque has one gigantic central dome supported by four half-domes resting on eight massive pillars. Each pillar has 12 sides.
The dome is 31.28 meters (102 feet) in diameter and 42.25 meters (140 feet) high. Mimar Sinan claimed the dome was larger than that of Hagia Sophia, but that claim was false.
The dome was hit by Bulgarian mortars during the Siege of Edirne in 1913 but survived with minor damage. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder of the Turkish Republic, ordered the dome not to be repaired in order to serve as a warning to future generations.
More Photos
Click here for a virtual tour of the mosque. Here are a few more photos: