Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul

The Mosque of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent (1557) is Istanbul's largest and grandest.

Designed by the Ottoman Empire's greatest architect, Mimar Sinan, the Süleymaniye dominates the city's Third Hill, just north of Istanbul University, overlooking the Golden Horn.

It's an easy walk of less than 10 minutes around the university from Beyazit Square and the Grand Bazaar to the Süleymaniye.

The mosque is open every day, for free, but it is currently undergoing extensive renovations, so very little of the mosque interior is open to visitors. The small portion that is open is used for prayer. Avoid visiting within 30 minutes after the call to prayer, and from noon to late afternoon on Friday (the Muslim holy day).

You can still visit the beautiful, elaborate tombs of Süleyman and his sultana Roxelana (Hürrem Sultan) in the garden behind the mosque (small fee).

The mosque is surrounded by its külliye, or outbuildings, including a medreses (theological seminaries), caravanserai, soup kitchen, hospital and hamam (Turkish bath).

Across the street to the southwest, the former imaret (soup kitchen) is now a fine restaurant of Ottoman cuisine, perfect for a lunch break.

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Suleymaniye Mosque in Silhouette above the Golden Horn, Istanbul, Turkey

The Süleymaniye Mosque dominates Istanbul's Golden Horn.

Below, the resplendent mausoleum of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, richest and most powerful Ottoman emperor of all.