Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Library and a raft of popular streetside
fasülye
(bean) restaurants that were formerly tea-
houses selling opium (hence the street's former name).
The still-functioning
Süleymaniye Hamamı
is on the eastern side of the mosque.
Türbes
To the right (southeast) of the main entrance is the cemetery, home to the
tombs
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MAP
GOOGLE MAP
of Süleyman and his wife Haseki Hürrem Sultan (Roxelana). The tile-
work in both is superb. In Süleyman's tomb, little jewel-like lights in the dome are surrog-
ate stars. In Roxelana's tomb, the many tile panels of flowers and the delicate stained
glass produce a serene effect.
SURROUNDING STREETS
The streets surrounding the mosque are home to what may well be the most extensive concentration of Otto-
man timber houses on the historic peninsula, many of which are currently being restored as part of an urban
regeneration project. To see some of these, head down Felva Yokuşu (between the caravan-serai and Sinan's
tomb) and then veer right into Namahrem Sokak and into Ayrancı Sokak. One of the many Ottoman-era
houses here was once occupied by Mimar Sinan; it now houses a cafe. To see other timber houses in the
area, take a walk around the area.
Although Sinan described the smaller Selimiye Mosque in Edirne as his best work, he chose to be bur-
ied here in the Süleymaniye complex, probably knowing that this would be the achievement that he
would be best remembered for. His
türbe
is just outside the mosque's walled garden, next to a disused
medrese
building.
