World Heritage Identification Number: 1366
World Heritage since: 2011
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Religious Sites & Sacred Architecture
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇹🇷 Türkiye
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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The Selimiye Mosque and Its Social Complex: A Masterpiece of Ottoman Architecture
The Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex, situated in the historic city of Edirne, Turkey, stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century. Commissioned by Sultan Selim II and designed by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan, this monumental structure has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The square Mosque with its single great dome and four slender minarets, dominates the skyline of the former Ottoman capital of Edirne. Sinan, the most famous of Ottoman architects in the 16th century, considered the complex, which includes madrasas (Islamic schools), a covered market, clock house, outer courtyard and library, to be his best work. The interior decoration using Iznik tiles from the peak period of their production testifies to an art form that remains unsurpassed in this material. The complex is considered to be the most harmonious expression ever achieved of the Ottoman külliye, a group of buildings constructed around a mosque and managed as a single institution.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (i): The Selimiye Mosque Complex at Edirne is a masterpiece of the human creative genius of the architect Sinan, the most famous of all Ottoman architects in the 16th century. The single great dome supported by eight pillars has a diameter of 31.5 over a prayer space of 45mx36m, and with its four soaring minarets it dominates the city skyline. The innovative structural design allowed numerous windows creating an extraordinary illuminated interior. The mosque complex was recognised by Sinan himself as his most important architectural work.
Criterion (iv): The Selimiye Mosque with its cupola, spatial concept, architectural and technological ensemble and location crowning the cityscape illustrates a significant stage in human history, the apogee of the Ottoman Empire. The interior decoration using Iznik tiles from the peak period of their production testifies to a great art form never to be excelled in this material. The mosque with its charitable dependencies represents the most harmonious expression ever achieved of the külliye, this most peculiarl Ottoman type of complex.
Encyclopedia Record: Selimiye Mosque, Edirne
The Selimiye Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque, located in the city of Edirne, Turkey. It was commissioned by Sultan Selim II and was built by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan between 1568 and 1575. It was considered by Sinan to be his masterpiece and is one of the highest achievements of Islamic architecture as a whole and Ottoman architecture in particular.Additional Site Details
Area: 2.5 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 41.6777777778 , 26.5594444444
Image
© Nevit Dilmen, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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The Architecture Heritage of Edirne
Edirne stands as a testament to its layered history, showcasing a rich architectural heritage that spans centuries. The city's notable structures, including the Selimiye Mosque by Sinan, the Old Mosque from the 15th century, and other Ottoman-Islamic masterpieces like Üç Şerefeli Mosque and Sultan Beyazid II Mosque, reflect its significance as a cultural and historical hub. This exploration delves into Edirne's architectural legacy, examining its evolution through historical neighborhoods, central districts, and former areas. Beyond buildings, the study also captures the city's social and economic fabric, traditional customs, dances, clothing, and economic structures, providing a comprehensive understanding of its past and present. Serving as an essential reference for scholars and enthusiasts alike, this work offers invaluable insights into urban history, architectural heritage, fine arts, humanities, and Turkish cultural studies.
Erdoğan, N. (2024). The Architecture Heritage of Edirne. https://doi.org/10.2174/97898152230401240101
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Edirne Selimiye Külliyesinde Bilinmeyen Bir Çeşme
A previously undocumented fountain within the Edirne Selimiye Mosque complex, a masterpiece by Ottoman architect Sinan, has been identified and analyzed for the first time. This wall fountain, located on the northern outer court wall, was not mentioned in historical records or biographies of Sinan. The study examines its architectural characteristics, construction, and dating, providing new insights into Sinan's lesser-known works. It also contextualizes the fountain within the broader tradition of Islamic water structures, highlighting its significance in Edirne's architectural heritage.
Akçıl Harmankaya, N. Ç. (2019). Edirne Selimiye Külliyesinde Bilinmeyen Bir Çeşme. Art-Sanat, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.26650/artsanat.2019.12.0004
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