Suleymaniye Mosque, is the largest and
most imposing mosque in Istanbul. It was built in 1557, during
the golden age of the Ottoman Empire, by the Royal Architect
Sinan, the father of classical Turkish architecture. The mosque
is an architectural masterpiece. The aesthetic supremacy of
its interior and exterior and its perfect proportions have
been captivating the visitors for centuries. The static balance
of the structure is faultless too. Numerous earthquakes that
have shaken Istanbul over the centuries have not caused a
single crack in the building. The most attractive features
of the interior are the extremely colorful, 16th century original
stained glass windows. The brass grill partition to the right
of the entrance is a masterpiece of 18th century Turkish metalwork.
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