Süleymaniye & Zeyrek

Süleymaniye and Zeyrek are two of Istanbul’s most important historical districts, bringing together remarkable examples of Eastern Roman and Ottoman architecture. Located on the hills of the historical peninsula, these neighbourhoods are known for their monumental buildings, traditional streets and impressive views over the Golden Horn. The most dominant landmark is the Süleymaniye Mosque, commissioned by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and designed by the celebrated Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. Completed in 1557, the mosque forms part of a large imperial complex that once included schools, a hospital, a public kitchen, a library, a bathhouse and charitable institutions. The tombs of Sultan Süleyman and Hürrem Sultan are located behind the mosque, while Mimar Sinan’s modest tomb stands nearby. A short distance away is Zeyrek Mosque, originally the Monastery of Christ Pantokrator. Built during the 12th century, it was one of Constantinople’s most important religious complexes. Following the Ottoman conquest, the buildings were used as a religious school and later converted into a mosque. Its connected domed structures and distinctive brickwork reflect the architectural heritage of the Eastern Roman period. Near the mosque is the Zeyrek Cistern, also associated with the former Pantokrator Monastery. Built into the hillside, the large brick-and-stone reservoir once stored water for the monastery complex. Its visible outer wall, supported by buttresses and decorated with deep niches, makes it different from many of Istanbul’s completely underground cisterns. Another important monument in the area is the Vefa Church Mosque, also known as Molla Gürani Mosque. Originally built as the Eastern Roman Church of Saint Theodore, it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. Its domes, brickwork and surviving architectural details demonstrate how historic religious buildings were adapted to serve new communities over time. The nearby Valens Aqueduct, known in Turkish as the Bozdoğan Kemeri, is one of the most visible remains of Constantinople’s ancient water system. Constructed during the 4th century and later maintained by the Ottomans, it carried water into the city for palaces, public fountains, baths and residential areas. A surviving section still crosses the modern Atatürk Boulevard. Close to the aqueduct stands the Şehzade Mosque, another important work by Mimar Sinan. Commissioned by Sultan Süleyman in memory of his son Şehzade Mehmed, it was constructed between 1543 and 1548. Its central dome, four surrounding semi-domes and balanced design represent an important stage in the development of classical Ottoman architecture. Kalenderhane Mosque adds another layer to the area’s history. Originally built as the Eastern Roman Church of the Theotokos Kyriotissa, it was later used by Kalenderi dervishes and converted into a mosque. Its surviving masonry and interior arrangement reveal the transformation of the building across the Eastern Roman and Ottoman periods. Together, Süleymaniye Mosque, Zeyrek Mosque, Zeyrek Cistern, Vefa Church Mosque, the Valens Aqueduct, Şehzade Mosque and Kalenderhane Mosque create a remarkable historical route through old Istanbul. The Süleymaniye and Zeyrek conservation areas form part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.