Born in 1490 in the village of Ağırnas in Kayseri, Mimar Sinan was brought to Istanbul as a devshirme during the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim. He gained significant experience by examining the architectural works in the region during the Egyptian campaign.
Sinan, who rose to the position of chief architect during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, signed more than 350 works. These works include mosques, masjids, madrasahs, tombs, bridges, caravanserais and baths.
Among the most important works of Mimar Sinan are the Süleymaniye Mosque, Selimiye Mosque, Şehzade Mosque, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Kırk Çeşme Water Facility, Uzun Kemeri and Mağlova Kemeri.
Works of Mimar Sinan in Istanbul
- Mosques:Suleymaniye Mosque, Sehzade Mosque, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
- Mosques:Arpacibasi Mosque, Saray Ağasi Mosque, Ucbas Mosque
- Schools and madrasahs:Hafiz Mustafa Celebi School, Sehzade Madrasa, Suleymaniye Madrasa
- Shrines:Tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent, Tomb of Haseki Hurrem Sultan, Tomb of Sokullu Mehmet Pasha
- Darülkurra, libraries and baths:Husrev Kethuda Darulkurrasi, Merkez Efendi Library, Mihrimah Bath
Among the works of Mimar Sinan, there are important structures in different areas such as mosques, bridges, aqueducts. Sinan also carried out engineering wonders such as the Forty Fountains Water Facility, which solved Istanbul’s water problem.
Sinan was closely interested in the art forms of the period, using Ottoman tiles, calligraphy, engraving and ornamentation in his works. He also played an important role in the restoration of the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
