This spectacular, very feminine mosque, designed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, is among the finest achievements of the highest period of Ottoman architecture. Located just inside the City Walls 5 km (3 miles) northwest of Sultanahmet (map), and built from 1562 to 1565 for Princess Mihrimah Sultan, Süleyman the Magnificent's favorite daughter, the mosque complex included a school, theological college, hamam (Turkish bath), shops, and tombs. It was badly damaged by earthquakes in 1766 and 1894. The mosque itself was rebuilt, but most of the other buildings were not.
Inside, the floor plan is a square, topped by a huge dome supported by four arches, the tympana of which are brightened by three rows of windows. Abundant light floods the interior and, with the rest of the decoration, gives the mosque a bright, upbeat, delicate, "feminine" ambience.
This fine mosque is again open after having been closed for years of extensive restoration work. It's now more beautiful than ever.
Other sights near Edirnekapı in Istanbul's Western districts are well worth visiting:
—Kariye Museum (Church of the Holy Savior in Chora)
—Theodosian City Walls from the 4th century
—Tekfur Sarayı (Palace of Constantine Porphyrogenitus)
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