About the Ottoman Architecture Walk in Istanbul
This three-hour walking tour of Istanbul focuses on three of the city's most important 16th century mosques. Designed by the Ottoman architect, Sinan, who is often referred to as the Turkish Michelangelo, these structures provide a fantastic introduction to Islam, Ottoman architecture, and the Golden Age of this long-spanning empire.
Our walk begins with the mosque complex of the Sehzade Camii, which was dedicated to Sultan Suleyman's son, Prince Mehmet. Here we'll discuss the role of Islam in architecture and the basic components of mosques and their decoration. We'll consider the motif and design of the buildings themselves, explore the interior of the mosque and its gardens, and spend time laying the groundwork for visually understanding Islamic architecture. We'll also examine how palace politics and an expanding empire impacted the urban fabric of this vibrant city.
We'll then visit the complex of Sultan Suleyman, also called Suleyman the Magnificent. We'll explore the extensive
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This three-hour walking tour of Istanbul focuses on three of the city's most important 16th century mosques. Designed by the Ottoman architect, Sinan, who is often referred to as the Turkish Michelangelo, these structures provide a fantastic introduction to Islam, Ottoman architecture, and the Golden Age of this long-spanning empire.
Our walk begins with the mosque complex of the Sehzade Camii, which was dedicated to Sultan Suleyman's son, Prince Mehmet. Here we'll discuss the role of Islam in architecture and the basic components of mosques and their decoration. We'll consider the motif and design of the buildings themselves, explore the interior of the mosque and its gardens, and spend time laying the groundwork for visually understanding Islamic architecture. We'll also examine how palace politics and an expanding empire impacted the urban fabric of this vibrant city.
We'll then visit the complex of Sultan Suleyman, also called Suleyman the Magnificent. We'll explore the extensive complex including the mosque, its many dependencies, and the mausoleum of Suleyman. This will give us a chance to discuss the figure of Suleyman and the ways in which Istanbul was transfomed during this period into the envy of the world. Lastly, we'll move downhill to the mosque of a vizier (minister) of Suleyman's court, wonderfully decorated with some of the best Iznik tilework in Istanbul, a distinctive signature of Ottoman decoration, affording us an opportunity to discuss the politics, propaganda, and empire building of this crucial period in Ottoman history.
Note: These mosques are all functioning holy sites. When entering a mosque we will be required to remove our shoes. As well, we may be interrupted during our walk by a call to prayer, which will provide an interesting example of the continued function of these magnificent spaces. Participants should wear long trousers, as shorts and short skirts are considered rather inappropriate in mosques. We also recommend that female participants bring some kind of hair covering that can be employed inside mosques but removed when walking from one to the other.
