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Erected
on the crest of a hill, the building is conspicuous for its
great size, emphasized by the four minarets that rise from
each comer of the courtyard. Inside are the mihrab (prayer
niche showing the direction to Mecca) and the mimber
(pulpit) made of finely carved white marble and exquisite
stained-glass windows coloring the incoming streams of
light. It was in the gardens of this complex that Suleyman
and his wife, Hurrem Sultan (Roxelane), had their mausolea
built, and near here also Sinan built his own tomb. The
mosque complex also includes four medreses, or theological
schools, a school of medicine, a caravanserai, a Turkish
bath, and a kitchen and hospice for the poor. |
Licence
