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This spectacular, very feminine
mosque, designed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar
Sinan, is among the finest
achievements of the highest period
of Ottoman architecture.
Located just inside the City Walls
5 km (3 miles) northwest of Sultanahmet
(map), and built from
1562 to 1565 for Princess
Mihrimah Sultan, Süleyman
the Magnificent's favorite
daughter, the mosque complex included
a school, theological college, hamam (Turkish
bath), shops and tombs.
It was badly
damaged by earthquakes in 1766 and
1894. The mosque itself was rebuilt,
but most of the other buildings were
not.
Inside, the floor plan is a square,
topped by a huge dome supported by
four arches, the tympana of which are
brightened by three rows of windows.
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Stained glass
window... |
Abundant light floods the interior
and, with the rest of the decoration,
gives the mosque a bright, upbeat,
delicate, "feminine" ambience.
This fine mosque is
again open after having been closed
for years of
extensive restoration work.
It's now
more beautiful than ever.
Other sights near Edirnekapı in
Istanbul's Western
districts are
well worth visiting:
—Kariye Museum (Church of the Holy
Savior in Chora)
—Theodosian
City Walls from
the 4th century
—Tekfur
Sarayı (Palace of Constantine
Porphyrogenetus)
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