|
 This mosque complex was erected by Süleyman the Magnificent in memory of his eldest son by Koxclana . Şehzade (Prince) Mehmet, who died of smallpox at the age of 21. The building was Sinan's first major imperial commission and was completed in 1548. The architect used a delightful decorative style in designing this mosque before abandoning it in favour of the classical austerity of his later work. The mosque is approached
through an elegant porticoed inner courtyard, while the other institutions making up the mosque complex, including a medrese, are enclosed within an outer courtyard. The interior of the mosque is unusual and it was something of an experiment in that it is symmetrical, having a semidome on each of its four sides.
The three tombs located to the rear of the mosque, belonging to Şehzade Mehmet himself and grand viziers Ibrahim Paşa and Rüstem Paşa , are the finest in the city. Each has beautiful İznik tiles and lustrous original stained glass. That of Şehzade Mehmet also boasts the finest painted dome in Istanbul.
On Fridays you will notice a crowd of women flocking to another tomb within the complex, that of Helvacı Baba, as they have done for over 400 years. Helvacı Baba is said to miraculously cure crippled children, solve fertility problems and find husbands or accommodation for those who beseech him. (s1)
This mosque is located between Bayezid and Unkapani and was constructed by Architect Sinan between 1543-1548. Süleyman the Magnificent wanted this mosque to be constructed after the death of his son and the prince he loved most. It is one of the five largest mosques in Istanbul. Its central dome is 37 m. high and its diameter is 18 m. 4 semi-domes surround the central dome. With these characteristics, it resembles Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque). It has two minarets each of which have 2 balconies, ornamented with reliefs. The niche and pulpit of the mosque are constructed of marble. The courtyard of the mosque is surrounded with a portico which has 10 domes. Its complex includes a madrasah, a charity establishment, cooking house, caravansary, primary school. (s4) The complex is situated in the Şehzadebaşı neighborhood of Eminönü. The complex was designed by Architect Sinan and built between 1543-1548 at the command of Sultan Süleyman, the Magnificent in honour of Şehzade Mehmed, his chosen successor who died at an early age. It was the first mosque Architect Sinan built for a Sultan.
The Şehzade Complex is made up of a mosque, a soup kitchen, a hospice, a school and a mausoleum. The mosque is located in the center of the complex. It is surrounded by a courtyard and contains an inner courtyard as well. In the middle of the interior courtyard is a domed reservoir used for ablutions. The minarets are found where the walls of the courtyard and mosque meet. The two minarets each have twin galleries and are unique in Istanbul due to their exterior ornamentation.
The mam dome of the mosque is 19 meters in diameter, 37 meters high and supported by four half-domes. It rests on lour elephant legs. The most striking of the structures within the mosque are the pulpit, niche and muezzin gallery. There are six mausoleums within the complex, five in an enclosed cemetery and one in the walls of the other court. The tomb of Şehzade Mehmed is one of the finest of them.
The medresse, primary school, soup kitchen and hospital are found to the north of the complex and were built in such a way as to constitute a courtyard wall. (s2)
|
