Mihrimah Sultan; She is the daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, born to Hürrem Sultan. There are two different Mihrimah Sultan Mosques built by Mimar Sinan by Mihrimah Sultan. One of these mosques is located in Üsküdar square in Istanbul, and the other is located next to the Edirnekapı walls. These two mosques, which are among the historical mosques in Istanbul, are known as the symbol of Mimar Sinan’s love for Mihrimah.
Mimar Sinan or Koca Sinan is the chief architect of the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman sultans Suleiman The Magnificent, II. Selim and III. He served as the chief architect during the Murat period. Mimar Sinan became famous around the world with his magnificent works. Mihrimah Sultan; He was born on March 21, 1522. She was married to Diyarbakir Beylerbeyi Rüstem Pasha in 1539 when she was 17 years old. Along with his wife, who was the Grand Vizier, he had a say in state affairs throughout his life.
The name Mihrimah means sun and moon in Persian. According to rumors, on March 21, Mihrimah Sultan’s birthday; As the sun goes down from Edirnekapı Mosque, the moon rises after the other mosque in Üsküdar. Mimar Sinan made this magnificent arrangement in dedication to his love for Mihrimah Sultan.
Features of Mihrimah Sultan Mosques
Located in Üsküdar, one of the mosques, both of which are the work of Mimar Sinan, was built in 1548. The other mosque in Edirnekapı was opened for worship in 1565, 17 years after the first mosque was completed. As in other Ottoman empire mosques, there are structures such as madrasahs, schools, fountains, baths and tombs around these mosques.
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, located in Edirnekapı, is an architecturally unique structure compared to its counterparts. The mosque, which has a height of 37 meters, is covered with a monumental dome with a diameter of 20 meters. The exterior of the rectangular planned mosque is decorated with hundreds of windows and is very bright inside. This mosque, which has a magnificent view in Edirnekapı, has a single minaret.
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, located in Uskudar Iskele square, is among the early works of Mimar Sinan. The dome of the mosque, which is 10 meters in diameter, is supported by half domes on 3 sides. The mosque has two minarets with a single balcony.
Mihrimah Sultan and Mimar Sinan Love
The existence of love between Mimar Sinan and Mihrimah Sultan, which is not found in history books, is not known for certain. Many stories have been told about this love in literature books and many books have been written about it. It is said that Mimar Sinan reflected his love in these mosques that he built for Mihrimah Sultan.
According to what is told, Mimar Sinan fell in love with Mihrimah Sultan, who was like a moon, even though he saw it only once. When Mihrimah Sultan was 17 years old, she wanted to be married, and she aspired to Diyarbakır Governor Rüstem Pasha and Mimar Sinan Mihrimah Sultan. Mihrimah Sultan was not given to Mimar Sinan, who was said to be 50 years old at that time, but was married to Rüstem Pasha. Thereupon, Mimar Sinan reflected his love to his works.
It is said that the 2 mosques that Mimar Sinan built for Mihrimah Sultan reflect the traces of this love. According to this; On March 21, when day and night are equal, a person looking from the Beyazıt Fire Tower or from a high point in that area can see the moonrise after the mosque in Üsküdar and the sunset after the Mosque in Edirnekapı at the same time. Thus, on March 21, Mihrimah Sultan’s birthday; Mihrü (sun) Mah (moon) event takes place.
Üsküdar Mihrimah Sultan Mosque has the elegance and simplicity befitting the sultan’s daughter. It is said that the outline of the mosque is reminiscent of a woman whose skirts are sweeping the floor. The two minarets of the mosque express the love of Mimar Sinan to the Sultan. The only minaret of Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in Edirnekapı is the symbol of Mimar Sinan’s loneliness.
