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Known as Suleiman the Magnificent, he and its light-filled interiors are artistically
ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1520 until his embellished.
death in 1566, making him Istanbul’s longest- As we walked through the mosque court-
reigning ruler. A skilled military commander yards, our guide explained that the mosque
and just ruler he reigned during the Empire's endured its share of trouble over the years. It
golden era of economic, military, and political was ravaged by fire in 1660, restored and
power. His conquests included Christian given a baroque facade. Soldiers used the
strongholds, most of Hungary and the Middle courtyard as a weapons depot during World
East, and part of North Africa. The Ottoman War I, resulting in another fire when the mu-
fleet dominated the seas from the Mediter- nitions exploded. It wasn’t restored until 1956.
ranean to the Red Sea and through the Persian The mosque complex featured a medrese
Gulf.
(religious school), soup kitchen, hospital,
Süleyman was a renaissance man. He insti- caravanserai or inn, library and bazaar. Some
tuted major judicial changes relating to soci- of these facilities are still in use today. In the
ety, education, taxation, and criminal law. He cemetery are the tombs of Suleiman the Mag-
was a distinguished poet, goldsmith and pa- nificent and his wife. Both mausoleums are
tron of the arts. inlaid with precious metals, stones, and
The Mosque that honors his name today is a stained glass. The tomb of the mosque
UNESCO World Heritage Site. It took eight renowned architect, Mimar Sinan, also is on
years to build and was completed in 1557. Its the courtyard grounds.
awe-inspiring central dome soars 154 feet high
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