Landmark

Şehzade Mosque

Istanbul, Türkiye

Candidate image for Şehzade Mosque in Istanbul

Şehzade Mosque is a sixteenth-century work by architect Sinan on Istanbul’s historic peninsula. Commissioned by Sultan Süleyman for his young son Mehmed, the complex combines a monumental central dome with the human grief behind its name, often translated as the Prince’s Mosque.

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The name Şehzade means “prince,” and the mosque began as a father’s memorial to his son. Sultan Süleyman commissioned it for Prince Mehmed, who died young; Sinan designed the complex in the 1540s.

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Quick facts

  • The mosque was built for Prince Mehmed, son of Süleyman, who died young.
  • Sinan designed it in the 1540s.
  • Sinan referred to it as an apprentice-period work.

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