The Suleymaniye Mosque, sitting on Istanbuls highest hill and dominating the Golden Horn, is one of the most important landmarks for the great city. Though it is not the most massive of the Ottoman mosques, it can be considered as one of the grandest and most beautiful architectural complexes. Commissioned by Suleyman I, known as 'The Magnificent', the Suleymaniye was the fourth imperial mosque built in Istanbul and it reflects upon its patron's nickname. The mosque and its surrounding buildings were designed by Mimar Sinan, the most famous and talented of all imperial architects. (Istanbulite).
The important religious structure, The Suleymaniye Mosque, blended influences of Islamic and Byzantine architectural elements. The dome is supported by four giant piers. The four monumental piers are decorated with round medallions inscribed with the names of the first four caliphs. Additional support is provided by red granite pillars on either side. The multiple domes and the arches supporting them also help to buttress and disseminate the weight of the massive central dome. All these columns are an essential part of the complex dome and support system of the Suleymaniye, and also had significant symbolic value. At the time it was built, it was said that, The dome was the highest in the Ottoman Empire, measuring about 53 meters high and has a diameter of 27.5 meters. When measured from sea level, but still lower from its base and smaller in diameter than that of Hagia Sophia. (zgr Ediz and Michael J. Ostwald) The Suleymaniye was built during the later years of Suleiman's life, when the sultanhad renounced luxury and chosen to live a more abstinent and spiritual life, and the interior of his mosque reflects those preferences. The interior is breathtaking in its size and pleasing in its simplicity, with very restrained use of Iznik tiles. The main aspects of decoration consists of calligraphic panels with quotations from the Quran on themes of worship, divine forgiveness and, above all, religious orthodoxy.
In many cases it's the only mosque that they see. ... The Sultan Ahmet Mosque doesn't just differ from the other mosques in Istanbul by its six minarets. ... I can't describe you how beautiful the mosque is. ... Even at the entrance of the mosque is amazing. ... A mosque with six minarets and a great courtyard. ...
Another of his magnificent works includes the Mosque of Selim ll 1568-1575. ... The mihrab is seen almost from any spot in the mosque. The basic elements of mosque's architecture include the huge dome accompanied by four 200 feet high minarets, and mihrab, which could be seen, from any place in the mosque. This mosque also has a qibla wall, which is a requirement in each mosque for worshippers to pray facing towards the direction of holy ka"ba, which is in Mecca. ... This is the place in the mosque where the imam leads the prayer. ...
The Islamic mosque is generally simple in design and architecture. This simplicity in structural design is evident in the Great Mosque of Cordoba and the Taj Mahal in Agra. ... The changes can be explained due to the nature of the environment in which the mosque was exposed to. ... The area in front of the Mihrab in the Great Mosque accommodates many columns supporting engineered arches. ... Honour and Flemming analysed the Great Mosque in Cordoba as well as the Taj Mahal in great depth. ...
The building: The building of Ottawa Mosque is fairly big. ... The mosque is covered wall to wall in carpet. ... But my experience at Ottawa Mosque was very different from the one at Carleton. This mosque was much grander in a way that this mosque had its own imam, a well educated and a proper imam who could discuss about any topic you throw at him. The mosque was also bigger and the gentry was older, more sophisticated in a sense. ...
There are also some similarities as to what one would find inside a synagogue and a mosque. ... (Frishman, 1994) The architectural design of a mosque has many significant meanings. ... The most important characteristic of a mosque is that it should be pointed toward Mecca. ... The mosque is always built as a connection with Mecca; the ultimate home of Muslim worship that metaphorically forms the center of all mosques. ... Calligraphy is important in mosques because it represents the "word" of god. ...
A Rookie to the Mosque With a close friend (who was born into an actively practicing family), I took a trip to a Mosque in Tallahassee at 1020 West Pensacola St. ... The preacher did not speak while I was there, and I was told by Radee (my company) that that was similar to the Mosque's he's been to in Philly and New Jersey. ... Upon entering the Mosque your shoes must be taken off to prevent any unwanted demons from entering (this is also true for when you enter a Muslim's house). ... On average people only go to the Mosque during the middle three times for prayer of the day...
The large market square of Djenné is dominated by its Great Mosque. Tradition has it that the first mosque was built in 1240 by the sultan Koi Kunboro, who converted to Islam and turned his palace into a mosque. ... The Sheikh built a second mosque in the 1830's and allowed the first one to fall into disrepair. ... This helps the interior of the mosque to stay cool all day long. The Great Mosque also has roof vents with ceramic caps. ...
Muslims worship God in a building called the mosque. In the film, a mosque in Cairo called Eden Tullum, which was built a hundred years ago, is shown. ... Unlike the Catholic Church, the mosque has no images. ... Each mosque has a wall facing Mecca, and a Mihrab, which is a pointer to Mecca. ... Before going to a mosque, the believers must wash themselves in the fountain and cover their shoes. ...
Muslim gather in the mosque to worship and pray to Allah. ... When visiting a mosque women should cover their skin. ... The mosque I visited had a section for ladies and one for men. ... Visiting a mosque was a very nice experience. ... But in the mosque I think people are more together and welcoming. ...