Today I visited the Suleymaniye Mosque, built for Sultan "Suleyman the Magnificent" about 1550 and the largest mosque in the city. It is visible from many points across the city and has a large front lawn which provides great views across the city and the water. Today was great weather for enjoying that view.
 |
| Suleymaniye Mosque, from the front lawn |
 |
| View across the Bosphorous to the Asian side |
Inside the mosque it is one huge prayer space, with the main dome above, and a big circle of lights suspended just a few metres above the floor. Everything high above is ornately decorated, but absolutely no images - just geometric patterns and arabic script. There are some very colourful stained glass windows.
 |
| No seats - we sit on the floor |
 |
| Stained glass window |
Everyone must take off their shoes, and they provide scarves and (if necessary) modest tops for women who are not already suitably covered up. Walking up the hill through the Spice Market and noisy, crowded streets I almost felt I was in Disneyland, but once in the mosque it was a different world; peaceful and quiet. Very relaxing.
 |
| Cluster of roofs and chimneys |
 |
| The gardens, including a hot dog sleeping |
