The second largest mosque in Istanbul, Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the masterpieces of the famous architect Mimar Sinan, second only to his biggest work, Selimiye Mosque located in Edirne. The construction of the building was started in 1550 and completed in 1558 by the order of Süleyman the Magnificent. It is located in Beyazit, next to the garden of Istanbul University.
Like other works of Mimar Sinan, it looks plain. The main dome of Süleymaniye Mosque is 53 meters high and 26.5 meters in diameter. İznik tiles were used in interior design. Lighting of the mosque was accomplished by 128 windows and oil lamps. There is a room where lamp black is collected and reserved. It has four minarets which are said to symbolize the fact that Süleyman was the fourth of the Ottoman sultans after the conquest of Istanbul. And these minarets have 10 galleries (şerefes), which reflect that Süleyman was the 10th Ottoman sultan.
In the courtyard, there are mausoleums of Sultan Süleyman and his wife Hürrem Sultan. You can visit the mausoleums between the hours of 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM.
Adjoining the mosque there are schools of theology, schools of medicine, a caravanserai, and a Turkish bath which is still working.
For transportation, you can take the tram and get off at Beyazit stop. The mosque is only minutes away on foot from Beyazit stop.
With its four minarets, this beautiful mosque dominates the skyline of Istanbul!
Süleymaniye Mosque on Istanbul Map
Opening Hours: The mosque is open daily from morning prayer to sunset. Closed to visitors during prayer times (approx 20 minutes each). Friday midday (12:00–13:30) is very crowded for weekly congregational prayer.
Admission: Free. Donations welcome. Women should bring a scarf to cover their heads. Modest dress required (shoulders and knees covered for all visitors). Shoes must be removed before entering, use provided plastic bags or shelves.
Tombs (Türbe) of Süleyman and Hürrem Sultan: Open daily 09:30–17:30. Free entry but modest dress required. Located behind the mosque in the courtyard. The tombs feature beautiful tile work and are actively visited by locals paying respects.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings (09:30–11:00) before tour groups arrive. Late afternoon (15:00–16:30) offers beautiful light through the windows. For photographers, the mosque's courtyard and the hilltop location offer stunning views of the Golden Horn and Galata, visit just before sunset.
How much time to spend: 30-45 minutes for the mosque interior and courtyard. Add 20 minutes for the tombs. Add another 20 minutes to walk around the külliye (mosque complex) and enjoy the garden views.
Getting there: T1 tram to Beyazit-Kapalıçarşı stop, then a 5-minute uphill walk. From Sultanahmet, it's a 15-20 minute walk up the hill. Many buses from throughout Istanbul stop near Beyazit Square.
Süleymaniye is not just a mosque, it's a külliye: A self-contained complex designed to serve the community. The original complex included:
Medreses (theological schools): Four madrasas (schools) once taught Islamic law and theology. They now house a library and some are used by Istanbul University.
Daruşşifa (hospital): A medical center that provided free care. One of the first hospitals in the Ottoman Empire.
Tabhane (guesthouse): A hostel for travelers and pilgrims, offering three days of free lodging and food.
Imaret (soup kitchen): Provided free daily meals to students, travelers, and the poor, over 1,000 people per day.
Hamam (Turkish bath): The Süleymaniye Hamam, still in operation today, served the local community for centuries. It's one of the few surviving hamams from the 16th century.
Caravanserai: A courtyard for traveling merchants and their animals, now a popular tea garden.
Dome and illumination: The central dome, 53 meters high, was inspired by the Hagia Sophia but engineered with a more refined system of weight distribution. The 128 windows flood the space with light, four are stained glass showing the names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
Calligraphy: The interior features stunning calligraphy by the famous Ottoman calligrapher Hasan Çelebi. The mihrab (prayer niche) and minbar (pulpit) are carved from finely crafted marble.
The "lamp black" room: Smoke from oil lamps collected on the dome's interior, darkening it over centuries. Mimar Sinan designed a small room in the wall where lamp black was periodically collected and cleaned, an ingenious maintenance feature.
Full morning in Beyazit & Süleymaniye: Start at Beyazit Square (9:00) → visit Beyazit Mosque → walk to Istanbul University gate (beautiful entryway) → continue to Süleymaniye Mosque (arrive by 10:00) → explore mosque and tombs (10:00-11:00) → visit complex garden for Golden Horn views (11:00-11:15) → walk downhill to Tahtakale and the Grand Bazaar (15 min) → lunch at a traditional lokanta near the Spice Bazaar.