Overlooking the Golden Horn this magnificent structure stands tall. The Yavuz Selim Cami. Its imposing presence a testament to Ottoman grandeur.
Commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent it honors his father Selim I. Completed between 1527 and 1528 this imperial mosque is a landmark on the Istanbul skyline. Architect Acem Ali designed this stunning building. It was not Mimar Sinan as some believe. There’s no evidence to prove that.
The Yavuz Selim Cami is the second oldest surviving imperial mosque in Istanbul. It sits atop the fifth hill. From here you can see the vast expanse of the city. The views are breathtaking.
Look closely at the courtyard. Notice the colonnaded portico. The columns are various types of marble and granite. Exquisite panels of colored tiles decorate the windows. These tiles show the cuerda seca technique. Iranian craftsmen created them for the Ottoman court. This same technique was used in the Topkapi Palace’s Circumcision Room.
The mosque itself is a simple square. Each side measures 24.5 meters. A shallow dome covers the interior. This dome rises to a height of 32.5 meters. The interior is simple for an imperial mosque. Four small domed rooms flank the main prayer hall. They were hospices for traveling dervishes.
Behind the Yavuz Selim Cami lies a garden. Here rest the tombs of Ottoman royalty. Selim I’s tomb is octagonal. It boasts a porch with uniquely designed tiles. Three of Suleiman the Magnificent’s sons also rest here. Two daughters of Selim I are buried here too. Mimar Sinan created this second octagonal structure. Sultan Abdülmecid I’s tomb is also here. This was built shortly before his death in 1861.
The Yavuz Selim Cami. It’s more than just a mosque. It’s a history book carved in stone. A story whispered through the ages. A testament to faith power and the enduring beauty of Ottoman art. It’s a must-see for any visitor to Istanbul. The Yavuz Selim Cami awaits you.