Emerged in early capitals, Bursa & Edirne in 14 and 15th centuries, Ottoman Architecture was developed from Seljuk Architecture with an influence of Eastern Roman & Persian Empires.

The Ottomans achieved the highest level architecture in their lands hence or since. They mastered the technique of building vast inner spaces confined by seemingly weightless yet massive domes, and achieving perfect harmony between inner and outer spaces, as well as articulated light and shadow.

With more than 3000 fine examples of Islamic Beacons in the city, there are obvious ones that out shinning among all and this specially curated experience will give you a chance to explore those iconic mosques and their light:

• Sehzade Mosque: Dedicated to Sehzade (Prince) Mehmed, Suleiman the Magnificent’s young-passed-away son, and ordered to be built to memorise Sehzade Mehmed long after his death. Sinan the Architect’s early work was the first important imperial commission and ultimately one of his most ambitious piece.
• Suleymaniye Mosque: Named after the longest-reigned Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent and built by Sinan the Architect during his fellow-craftsmanship era. The mosque's design plays on Suleyman's self-conscious representation of himself as a “second Solomon” since Suleiman was at the heights of his power back then.
• Nûr-i Osmânî Mosque: Ottoman Baroque was bodied in the hands of a master and a fellow-craftsman architects for the first time and became the fourth largest dome in Istanbul. After 100 years of building the the Blue Mosque, It took two different Sultans’ reign to complete the first Sultan Mosque, which was named after Osman III, who had the chance to see its finish.
• Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the Blue Mosque): Aiming to reassert the Ottoman Power, Sultan Ahmed I ordered Imperial Architects to build a mosque that can match the glory of Hagia Sophia. In order to do so, Sultan ordered Golden(Altin)Minarets, but the master architect misunderstood and put six(Alti) minarets to the structure, for the first time in Islamic World. Obviously the master architect failed to succeed on the golden minarets, but he reached the main goal as Pope Benedict XVI paid a visit, becoming the second papal visit in history to a Muslim place of worship.
• Valide Sultan Mosque: A unique example of how ambitious Queen Mothers could sponsor a remarkable mosque to get built.