Introduction: Süleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque

Through elaborating on the relationship of history and memory across prominent sites in France, Pierre Nora presents the idea of the lieux de memoire, a site of memory. According to Nora, a lieux de memoire is a cultural landmark of particular historical significance in the memories of the general population. He explains: 

Map of Süleymaniye Mosque (circled in blue)

Map of Süleymaniye Mosque (circled in blue)

In Istanbul, the Süleymaniye Mosque is a lieux de memoire that has maintained a strong cultural and historical connection with the city. Originally built by Suleiman the Magnificent, the monarch during the apex of the Ottoman Empire, the mosque was originally envisioned to represent the magnificence of the empire (2). With the artistic mastery of architect Mimar Sinan, the design of the Süleymaniye Mosque incorporated combinations of Byzantine and Islamic elements into the architectural structure. In 1550, construction of the mosque began on the Third Hill of Istanbul, and nearly eight years later, the grand mosque was finally completed as one of the tallest structures in Istanbul. 

Mosque Interior

More than 100 years later, as the empire began to decline, the mosque mirrored the empire’s deterioration and was severely damage by a fire and earthquake (3). After significant reconstruction and renovation, the structure is currently one of the most visited and renowned mosques in the world, drawing crowds of tourists every year. This Omeka site will explore these five distinct phases of the Süleymaniye Mosque: the original vision, the architectural design, the physical construction, the deterioration, and the restoration of the mosque. Collectively, these phases will be used to analyze how the mosque’s role as a lieux de memoire has been shaped by the city's dynamic historical events.

Mosque Interior

More than 100 years later, as the empire began to decline, the mosque mirrored the empire’s deterioration and was severely damage by a fire and earthquake (3). After significant reconstruction and renovation, the structure is currently one of the most visited and renowned mosques in the world, drawing crowds of tourists every year. This Omeka site will explore these five distinct phases of the Süleymaniye Mosque: the original vision, the architectural design, the physical construction, the deterioration, and the restoration of the mosque. Collectively, these phases will be used to analyze how the mosque’s role as a lieux de memoire has been shaped by the city's dynamic historical events.