1. Süleymaniye Mosque What makes it special: Often considered the masterpiece of the legendary Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, the Süleymaniye Mosque complex is a breathtaking example of classical Ottoman architecture. Commissioned by Süleyman the Magnificent, its harmonious proportions, four towering…

Istanbul is a city shaped by empires, but no dynasty left a deeper visual mark than the Ottomans. Spanning over 600 years, Ottoman architecture fused Islamic aesthetics with Byzantine influences, Persian traditions, and native Anatolian designs — culminating in a…

Welcome to Sultanahmet, the beating heart of Istanbul where three empires have left their indelible mark across nearly two millennia. This UNESCO World Heritage peninsula serves as an open-air museum where Roman foundations support Byzantine churches that became Ottoman mosques,…

1. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque What makes it special: A testament to architectural genius and historical shifts, the Hagia Sophia has served as a Byzantine cathedral, an Ottoman mosque, a museum, and now once again, a mosque. Its colossal dome,…