Mimar Sinan (1489-1588) was one of the greatest architects in history and the chief architect of the Ottoman Empire during the reigns of sultans Süleyman the Magnificent, Selim II, and Murad III. His full name was Koca Mimar Sinan Ağa, and he is widely regarded as the master builder of the classical Ottoman architectural style, with a career that spanned nearly 50 years and more than 300 major structures.
Sinan was born in 1489 in a small village called Ağırnas near Kayseri, in central Anatolia. He came from a Christian family but was conscripted into the Janissary Corps, a special military unit of the Ottoman Empire, through the devşirme system. This system recruited Christian boys from the empire’s territories and converted them to Islam. As a Janissary, Sinan received extensive training in engineering, mathematics, and military tactics, which laid the foundation for his future architectural genius.
During his military career, Sinan traveled widely and gained practical experience by constructing fortifications, bridges, and other structures during military campaigns. These travels exposed him to a variety of architectural styles from Europe to Persia, which influenced his later work.
In 1539, Sinan was appointed as the chief imperial architect (Mimarbaşı) by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. This role gave him the responsibility of overseeing all major architectural projects across the Ottoman Empire. His most famous works were the mosques and public buildings he designed, and his mastery of domes and large, open interior spaces set a new standard for Ottoman architecture.
Sinan's most iconic works include:
Süleymaniye Mosque (Istanbul) – Completed in 1557, this mosque is one of Sinan's grandest achievements and a symbol of Ottoman power and artistic excellence. It was designed as a complex that included schools, a hospital, a library, and public kitchens, embodying the idea of a mosque as a community center.
Selimiye Mosque (Edirne) – Finished in 1575, this is often considered Sinan's masterpiece. The mosque’s central dome is regarded as a marvel of engineering, surpassing even the Hagia Sophia in its architectural innovation.
Şehzade Mosque (Istanbul) – One of his earlier works, completed in 1548, this mosque was dedicated to Prince Mehmed, Sultan Süleyman’s son. Its design reflects Sinan’s development as an architect and his experimentation with symmetry and space.
Aside from mosques, Mimar Sinan also designed bridges, aqueducts, palaces, and baths. His Mağlova Aqueduct near Istanbul is still considered one of the finest examples of water architecture in the world. His designs were not only visually stunning but also highly functional, reflecting his deep understanding of engineering and materials.
Sinan described his own architectural career in terms of three major phases: the "apprentice" period (Şehzade Mosque), the "journeyman" period (Süleymaniye Mosque), and the "master" period (Selimiye Mosque), showing his continuous growth as an architect.
Mimar Sinan died in 1588 at the age of around 99, leaving behind a profound legacy that shaped Ottoman architecture for centuries. His work had a lasting influence on architecture in the Islamic world and beyond, and he remains one of the most celebrated figures in the history of architecture.
