The Süleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleiman I (Suleiman the Magnificent) and was constructed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1558.
Sinan considered the design to be an architectural counterpoint to the Byzantine Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia, converted into a mosque under Mehmed II, served as a model to many Ottoman mosques in Istanbul. However, Sinan's Süleymaniye is a more symmetrical, rationalized and light-filled interpretation of earlier Ottoman precedents, as well as the Hagia Sophia.
The design of the Süleymaniye also plays on Suleyman's self-conscious representation of himself as a 'second Solomon.' It references the Dome of the Rock, which was built on the site of the Temple of Solomon, as well as Justinian's boast upon the completion of the Hagia Sophia: "Solomon, I have surpassed thee!" The Süleymaniye, similar in magnificence to the preceding structures, asserts Suleyman's historical importance. The structure is nevertheless smaller in size than its older archetype, the Hagia Sophia.
The Süleymaniye was ravaged by a fire in 1660 and was restored by Sultan Mehmed IV. Part of the dome collapsed again during the earthquake of 1766. Subsequent repairs damaged what was left of the original decoration of Sinan (recent cleaning has shown that Sinan experimented first with blue, before turning red the dominant color of the dome).
During World War I the courtyard was used as a weapons depot, and when some of the ammunition ignited, the mosque suffered another fire. Not until 1956 was it fully restored again.
(Wikipedia )
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This is stunning, a lovely picture of a beautiful building.
My only preference would have been to level the shot, I feel a little tipped over in it, and that's distracting to me.
Such an immaculate building. I often take photos inside churches, but always wanted to photograph a mosgue... just wasnt sure if it was disrespectful to do so. Expect a PM from me after the challenge, I would love your advice on this.
This one is puzzling for me. When I first see it (each time) it seems like it's going to be too busy. Yet it draws me in and the patterns seem to synthesize into a congruent whole. Not sure, but the concentric rings of light seem to tie it all together.
Stunning building and nicely handled exposure. Curious to know why you left the image tilted anticlockwise with so many strong vertical and horizontal elements present.
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