Reposted from the web

Summary: Islamic World in 1550: Africa, Ottoman Lands and Safavid Iran is presented here as a firsthand travel account in clear English, beginning with this scene: I started staying home in mid-November. I wanted to use this time to do things I had always planned, so I decided to take an online tour of the Islamic world. The account keeps its focus on Islamic World, Ottoman History, Safavid Iran while preserving the names, places, food, and historical details from the Chinese source.

I started staying home in mid-November. I wanted to use this time to do things I had always planned, so I decided to take an online tour of the Islamic world. I chose the year 1550 because my previous travels abroad showed me that many interesting things really happened in the Islamic world during the first half of the 16th century. During my travels, I saw the Ottoman Empire reaching its peak under Suleiman the Magnificent, the Crimean Khanate building a new capital in a valley, the Kazan Khanate about to be conquered by Tsarist Russia, the Bukhara and Yarkent Khanates just being established, the Sur Empire in Afghanistan sweeping through northern India to conquer the Mughal Empire, and the island of Java in Indonesia forming a unique Javanese Islamic culture under the influence of Sufi missionaries. This gave me an idea to see exactly which Islamic countries existed in 1550 and what was happening in them.

After researching, I found that in 1550 there were at least 50 Islamic countries and regimes spanning Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, each with its own distinct cultural traditions and history. Out of these 50 countries and regimes, I will detail 9 that I have visited before, including the Ottoman Empire, the Crimean Khanate, the Kazan Khanate, the Bukhara Khanate, the Yarkent Khanate, the Sur Empire, the Golconda Sultanate, the Banten Sultanate, and the Demak Sultanate. I hope this online trip helps everyone imagine the atmosphere of the Islamic world in 1550.

Besides these 50 countries, there are other Islamic nations I did not include this time, and I hope to find more information about them in the future.

Let me briefly introduce the travel route for this trip:



Our journey starts in Morocco in the far northwest of Africa, moves east into Algeria and Tunisia, and then heads south across the Sahara Desert into the savanna. Then we will cross the African continent to the east, enter the Nile River basin, and arrive at the Somali Peninsula by the Indian Ocean. We will sail north, pass through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to reach Egypt, cross the Mediterranean to Istanbul, and then head east to Iran. This is the first part.

In the second part, we will visit 12 countries ruled by the descendants of Genghis Khan. We start from the Crimean Peninsula, head east to the Volga Delta, go north to the Ryazan region of Russia, and then east to the city of Kazan on the Volga River. We continue east to the Irtysh River, then south to the Kazakh steppe, east into the Transoxiana region, cross the Tianshan Mountains into southern Xinjiang, pass through the Pamir Plateau into Kashmir, and finally enter the Sindh region of Pakistan.

In the third part, we will experience the Islamic culture of South Asia. We first arrive in Delhi, then head south into Gujarat and central India. Next, we will enter the Deccan Plateau, visit the 5 sultanates on the plateau, and finally arrive in the Maldives by boat.

In the fourth part, we will cross the Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia. We first enter the Pattani region of Thailand, then head south along the Malay Peninsula, pass by 3 sultanates founded by princes of Malacca, and then take a boat past Sumatra and Java to visit the most unique Islamic culture there. Then we come to the Spice Islands in eastern Indonesia to see the influence of the Portuguese and Spanish, and finally arrive in Brunei and the southern Philippines. Our 1550 world Islamic tour ends here.

General Table of Contents

The Vast African Continent

1. Saadi Sultanate of Morocco (1510-1659)

2. Kingdom of Tlemcen in Algeria (1235-1556)

3. Ottoman Regency of Algiers in Algeria (1516-1830)

4. Kingdom of Beni Abbas in Algeria (1510-1872)

5. Kingdom of Kuku in Algeria (1515-1638)

6. Hafsid Dynasty of Tunisia (1229-1574)

7. Songhai Empire in West Africa (1464-1591)

8. Mali Empire in West Africa (1230-1672)

9. Funj Sultanate of Sudan (1504-1821)

10. Adal Sultanate in Ethiopia (1415-1577)

11. Ajuran Sultanate in Somalia (13th century-late 17th century)

Ottoman Empire spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa (1299-1922)

12. Ottoman Egypt Province (1517-1867)

13. Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922)

14. Safavid Dynasty in Iran (1501-1736)

Legacy of the Mongol Empire

15. Crimean Khanate in Ukraine (1441-1783)

16. Astrakhan Khanate in Russia (1466-1556)

17. Nogai Khanate in Russia and Kazakhstan (1440-1634)

18. Qasim Khanate in Russia (1452-1681)

19. Kazan Khanate in Russia (1438-1552)

20. Sibir Khanate in Russia (1468-1598)

21. Kazakh Khanate in Kazakhstan (1465-1587)

22. Khanate of Khiva in Turkmenistan (1511-1920)

23. Khanate of Bukhara in Uzbekistan (1500-1785)

24. Yarkent Khanate in China (1514-1680)

25. Haidar in Kashmir (1540-1550)

26. Arghun Dynasty in Afghanistan and Pakistan (1520-1591)

27. Sur Dynasty that swept through northern India (1538-1556)

Legacy of the Delhi Sultanate

28. Gujarat Sultanate in western India (1407-1573)

29. Khandesh Sultanate in central India (1382-1601)

Five Deccan Sultanates

30. Berar Sultanate on the Deccan Plateau (1490-1572)

31. Ahmadnagar Sultanate on the Deccan Plateau (1490-1636)

32. Bidar Sultanate on the Deccan Plateau (1492-1619)

33. Golconda Sultanate on the Deccan Plateau (1518-1687)

34. Bijapur Sultanate on the Deccan Plateau (1490-1686)

35. Maldive Sultanate in the Indian Ocean (1153-1968)

36. Pattani Sultanate in Thailand (1457? -1902)

The legacy of the Malacca Sultanate.

37. Perak Sultanate in Malaysia (1528–present).

38. Pahang Sultanate in Malaysia (1470–1623).

39. Johor Sultanate in Malaysia (1528–present).

Sultanates of Indonesia.

40. Aceh Sultanate in Indonesia (1496–1903).

41. Banten Sultanate in Indonesia (1527–1813).

42. Cirebon Sultanate in Indonesia (1447–1679).

43. Demak Sultanate in Indonesia (1475–1568).

The four sultanates of the Spice Islands.

44. Ternate Sultanate in Indonesia (1486–1914).

45. Tidore Sultanate in Indonesia (1450–1967).

46. Jailolo Sultanate in Indonesia (late 15th century–1832).

47. Bacan Sultanate in Indonesia (late 15th century–1965).

48. Maguindanao Sultanate in the Philippines (1520–1905).

49. Sulu Sultanate in the Philippines (1457–1915).

50. Brunei Sultanate in Brunei (1368–1888).

1. Saadi Sultanate of Morocco (1510-1659)

Our journey through the Islamic world begins in the ancient city of Marrakesh, Morocco.

The sultans of the Saadi Sultanate claimed to be descendants of Imam Hassan, the grandson of the Prophet. They established their sultanate in southern Morocco in the early 16th century to resist the Portuguese invasion. They made Marrakesh their capital in 1524, drove the Portuguese out of Morocco in 1541, and then attacked the Wattasid dynasty of the northern Berber people, capturing their capital, Fez, in 1549.

By 1550, the eastward expansion of the Saadi Sultanate caused friction with the Ottoman Empire. At this time, the Ottoman Empire had already expanded into Algeria and was actively preparing for war against the Saadi Sultanate.

Under Saadi rule, Marrakesh became a commercial hub connecting the Maghreb, the Mediterranean, and sub-Saharan Africa. Today, the city of Marrakesh preserves the gongbei (zawiya) complex of the Sufi sheikh Sidi Muhammad Ben Sliman al-Jazuli, which was built in 1524. Jazuli was highly respected by the Saadi family, so when they made Marrakesh their capital in 1524, they moved his gongbei into the city.

The north side of the tomb of Sidi Muhammad Ben Slimane al-Jazuli, photographed by Robert Prazeres in 2014.



The location of the city of Marrakesh.



2. Kingdom of Tlemcen in Algeria (1235-1556)

We head east from Morocco to the city of Tlemcen in northwestern Algeria.

In the early 16th century, Algeria was ruled by the Tlemcen Kingdom, which was established by the Berbers. At this time, the Tlemcen Kingdom was very weak and was fought over repeatedly by Spain and the Ottomans.

In June 1550, the Saadi Sultanate of Morocco captured the capital of the Tlemcen Kingdom without a fight and decided to continue pushing eastward.

The location of Tlemcen city.



3. Ottoman Regency of Algiers in Algeria (1516-1830)

Let us continue east to Algiers, which was under the control of Ottoman pirates.

In 1516, the Ottoman pirate brothers Barbarossa (Red Beard) captured Algiers from Spanish rule and used it as a pirate base to fight against Spain repeatedly. In 1545, Red Beard was called to Istanbul to retire, and his son Hasan Pasha became the Ottoman governor of Algiers. Hasan Pasha captured Tlemcen in 1545, but it was taken back two years later. In 1548, Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent removed him from office and replaced him with the Ottoman naval commander Dragut.

In 1550, Dragut was leading the Ottoman navy on raids across the Mediterranean. That year, he attacked Mediterranean coastal regions including Tunisia, Sardinia, Corsica, Genoa in Italy, and Spain. In September, Dragut was trapped in a lagoon in Tunisia by the fleet of the Knights of Malta. He escaped by quickly digging a canal and laying down greased wooden planks to drag all his ships out of the lagoon, successfully sailing back to Istanbul.

The Death of Dragut, painted by Maltese artist Giuseppe Calì in 1867.



Today in Algiers, you can see the Safir mosque, built in 1534 by Safar bin Abdullah, a general in the Barbarossa fleet. The mosque features Ottoman architectural style.

Photo by Brahimpic in 2014.



The location of Algiers.



4. Kingdom of Beni Abbas in Algeria (1510-1872)

In the mountains east of Algiers, there were two small states established by the Berbers.

The Kingdom of Beni Abbas was a small state of the Kabyle Berbers in the mountains of northern Algeria. It held a key strategic position on the trade route between the Mediterranean and the Sahara Desert. In the 16th century, the Kingdom of Beni Abbas attracted many Andalusians, Christians, and Jews fleeing Spain and Algiers, which enriched the kingdom's cultural diversity.

In 1550, the Ottoman Empire sent troops to attack the Kingdom of Beni Abbas twice, but they were repelled, so the Ottomans signed a treaty with them.

The location of the capital, Kalâa of Ait Abbas.





5. Kingdom of Kuku in Algeria (1515-1638)

The Kingdom of Kuku was another state established by the Kabyle Berbers in the mountains of northern Algeria. It was located east of Algiers and was a rival to the Kingdom of Beni Abbas.

The location of Kuku city.





6. Hafsid Dynasty of Tunisia (1229-1574)

Continue east along the North African coast to reach the city of Tunis.

The Hafsid dynasty was a Berber dynasty that was also caught up in the repeated struggles between Spain and the Ottomans in the early 16th century.

In 1550, the Hafsid dynasty was a vassal state of Spain. They were not completely conquered by the Ottoman Empire until 1573.

Santiago Chikly castle, rebuilt by the Spanish in Tunis between 1546 and 1550. Photo by Imanis in 2013.



The location of Tunis.



7. Songhai Empire in West Africa (1464-1591)

Let us head south along the ancient trade routes across the vast Sahara Desert to reach the ancient city of Gao in Mali.

The Songhai Empire was established by the Songhai people of West Africa. It was located in the semi-arid region between the Sahara Desert and the savanna. At its peak, it was one of the largest countries in Africa, with Timbuktu and Djenné as its main cities.

In 1550, the emperor ruling the Songhai Empire was Askia Daoud (reigned 1549–1582). Under his rule, the Songhai Empire enjoyed peace at home, expanded its borders, and saw its economy thrive. At that time, Timbuktu was the center of Islamic culture in Africa, placing great importance on education and preserving a vast collection of book manuscripts.

The capital of the Songhai Empire was located in Gao, Mali, where the tomb of the Songhai emperor Askia Muhammad I, who died in 1538, stands. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004. People say the mud and wood used for this tomb were brought back from Mecca by the emperor himself after his hajj.

The Tomb of Askia, photographed by Our Place for the World Heritage website in 2007.





The location of Gao, the capital of the Songhai Empire.



8. Mali Empire in West Africa (1230-1672)

Let us continue south into the savanna to visit the mysterious Mali Empire.

The Mali Empire was once the largest empire in West Africa, though it was gradually replaced by the Songhai Empire from the north after the 16th century. The economic focus of the Mali Empire shifted from trans-Saharan trade to commerce in coastal regions.

In 1545, the Songhai Empire invaded the capital of the Mali Empire, but they did not actually take control of it. By 1550, the Mali Empire still held onto a certain amount of territory. That year, they attacked a trade center in southern Ghana and seized the gold there.

The region attacked by the Mali Empire in 1550.



9. Funj Sultanate of Sudan (1504-1821)

This time, we will travel a long distance across the African continent to reach Sudan on the upper Nile.

The Funj Sultanate was a state established by the Funj people on the upper Nile. Due to the spread of Sufism along the upper Nile in the 16th century, the founder of the Funj Kingdom, Amara Dunqas, became a Muslim. However, the Funj people still kept many local customs and Christian rituals, gradually forming a unique Sudanese folk Islamic tradition.

To counter the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, the Funj Sultanate formed an alliance with the Ethiopian Empire in the early 16th century and exported horses and camels to them.

Sennar, the capital of the Funj Sultanate.



10. Adal Sultanate in Ethiopia (1415-1577)

Let us continue east into the ancient Ethiopian city of Harar.

The Adal Sultanate was located east of the Funj Sultanate on the northern Somali Peninsula and served as a commercial and political partner to the Ottoman Empire. Between 1529 and 1543, with help from the Ottoman Empire, the Adal Sultanate fought an 11-year war against the Ethiopian Kingdom, which eventually weakened both sides.

In 1550, the Adal Sultanate was ruled by Nur ibn Mujahid, who built a city wall with five gates in the capital, Harar. This walled city, known as Harar Jugol, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006. Harar is located in eastern Ethiopia and served as the capital of the Adal Sultanate from 1520 to 1577. Historically, this city has been an important African commercial and Islamic center, connecting trade routes from Ethiopia to the Somali Peninsula, the Arabian Peninsula, and the heart of Asia.

The Harar city wall, photographed by Sailko in 2018.



The location of the city of Harar.



11. Ajuran Sultanate in Somalia (13th century-late 17th century)

We continue south to the port city of Mogadishu on the Indian Ocean.

The Ajuran Sultanate was located on the Somali Peninsula, south of the Adal Sultanate. It held a key position in North Indian Ocean trade, with ships traveling between East Asia, South Asia, Europe, and Africa, leaving behind many ancient monuments in Somalia.

As a maritime nation, the Ajuran Sultanate not only allied with the Ottoman Empire but also maintained friendly relations with the Ming Dynasty. They were the first African country to send envoys to the Ming Dynasty.

In the early 16th century, the wealthiest Indian Ocean port city in the Sultanate was Mogadishu, which is the current capital of Somalia. According to the 16th-century Andalusian traveler Leo Africanus, the people of Mogadishu at that time had olive skin, wore white robes and white turbans, and used Arabic as their common language. Mogadishu had stone walls and was equipped with muskets and cannons imported from the Ottoman Empire.

The location of Mogadishu city.



Ottoman Empire spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa (1299-1922)

Let us take a ship from the Indian Ocean port of Mogadishu, sail north along the Somali Peninsula, enter the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden, and arrive in Cairo, Egypt, under Ottoman rule.

12. Ottoman Egypt Province (1517-1867)

In 1517, the Ottoman Empire conquered the Mamluk Sultanate, which had ruled Egypt for over two hundred years. Although they appointed a series of Egyptian governors, the political structure and cultural arts still continued the traditions of the Mamluk period. In early 16th-century Cairo, Mamluk and Ottoman architectural styles began to merge.

In 1528, the Egyptian governor Hadım Suleiman Pasha built the Suleiman Pasha Mosque for the Ottoman Janissaries stationed in the Cairo Citadel. This was the first Ottoman-style mosque in Egypt.

Suleiman Pasha Mosque photographed by Houssam_Daowd_102 in 2019.



The location of Cairo.



13. Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922)

We cross the Mediterranean Sea and arrive at Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. At that time, the eastern Mediterranean had become an inland sea for the Ottoman Empire.

In the first half of the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire entered its Golden Age under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent (reigned 1520-1566). Ottoman territory continued to expand. They besieged Vienna twice in 1529 and 1532, captured Baghdad in 1535, and defeated the Portuguese to control the Red Sea in 1538.

Meanwhile, under the patronage of Suleiman the Magnificent, various talented craftsmen and artists came to the Ottoman court, leading to great cultural prosperity. Mimar Sinan, the court architect for Suleiman the Magnificent, built a series of structures in Istanbul that became the best witnesses of that era.

The Haseki Hürrem Sultan Complex (Haseki Hürrem Sultan Külliyesi) was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent's wife, Hürrem Sultan, and built by Mimar Sinan in 1539. It was the first complex built by Mimar Sinan after he became the royal architect. Hürrem Sultan, known as Roxelana, was the first empress in Ottoman history to receive the title of 'Haseki Sultan' (the Sultan's favorite). She is also known as the most powerful and controversial woman in Ottoman history.

After becoming empress, Hürrem Sultan began building a series of public structures, the first of which was this empress complex. The complex includes a Friday mosque (Jumu'ah mosque), a public kitchen (imaret), a religious school (madrasa), an elementary school (mektep), and a hospital (darüssifa). The mosque was completed in 1539, the religious school and kitchen were finished the following year, and the hospital was not completed until 1550. When designing the entire complex, Sinan arranged the different buildings at various angles, leaving only narrow passages or gaps between them. This arrangement created rich perspective effects that almost never appeared in his later works.



The mosque (1539) is at the southernmost part of the complex, separated from the other parts by a narrow alley. The mosque was originally a simple, traditional single-dome, single-minaret structure made of alternating brick and stone. The porch is supported by six marble columns holding up five small domes. The mosque was expanded in 1612, growing from a single dome to a double dome, which doubled its area. The mosque has no tiles, and the current paintings were added later. During this period, Sinan had not yet started to innovate in mosque architecture.

The madrasa (1540) is directly opposite the mosque and consists of sixteen student rooms and a large lecture hall arranged in a rectangle.

The primary school (1540) is known as the most beautiful primary school built by Mimar Sinan.

The hospital (1550) is in the far north and was built by Hurrem Sultan specifically for women. The hospital courtyard is octagonal, with rooms on three sides and windows facing the street on the fourth side. The two arched gateways (iwan) at the corners of the octagonal courtyard and the dome foreshadowed Sinan's later development of arches and domes.



A diagram of the public kitchen published by Cornelius Gurlitt in 1912.



The Mihrimah Sultan Complex (Mihrimah Sultan Külliyesi) was commissioned in 1543 by Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent and Hurrem Sultan, and built by Mimar Sinan. It is the second complex by Mimar Sinan in Istanbul that still stands today.

Mihrimah Sultan was the wife of the Grand Vizier Rustem Pasha and is known as the most powerful princess in the history of the Ottoman Empire.

The entire complex is cleverly built on a slope extending to the coast. It includes a mosque, a madrasa, a guesthouse, a canteen, a primary school, and some later tombs. The guesthouse and canteen were destroyed by fire in 1772.

The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is the first semi-domed mosque designed by Mimar Sinan. The mosque consists of one main dome and three semi-domes. This shape expands the interior space, making people feel like they are under the dome as soon as they enter the main hall. Although the mosque itself has limited depth, this design increases the sense of openness. Mimar Sinan added a T-shaped canopy in front of the porch to soften the hardness of the entrance facade.



A diagram of the mosque published by Cornelius Gurlitt in 1912.

















The madrasa consists of sixteen student rooms and a large lecture hall in a rectangle. It is now a hospital, and the integrity of the cultural heritage has been damaged.







The Sehzade Complex (Sehzade Külliye) is located on the third hill of the old city of Istanbul. Built between 1543 and 1548, it is considered Mimar Sinan's most important early work and his first masterpiece.

The complex was built by Suleiman the Magnificent to commemorate his beloved son, Prince Mehmed (Sehzade Mehmed), who died young. Prince Mehmed was the son of Suleiman the Magnificent and Hurrem Sultan. He was favored from a young age and was the most likely heir, but he sadly died of smallpox (some say murder) in 1543. After the prince died, Suleiman the Magnificent was heartbroken. Traditionally, princes were buried in Bursa, but the Sultan decided to commission Mimar Sinan to build a tomb for the prince in Istanbul and match it with a complex.

The Sehzade Complex was the first work Mimar Sinan was directly commissioned to build by Suleiman the Magnificent. It was also his most ambitious early work, with a much grander scale and more decoration than his previous projects.

The complex includes a mosque, five tombs, a madrasa, a guesthouse, a hostel, a public canteen, and a primary school. These buildings are freely distributed on flat ground without a deliberate attempt at symmetry. the mosque is not a single unit with the other buildings; the other structures are distributed in the gardens or streets surrounding the mosque.



The mosque (1543-1548) is the second semi-domed mosque designed by Mimar Sinan, consisting of one main dome and four semi-domes. This is both an improvement on Sinan's previous work, the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque with its three semi-domes, and a reinterpretation of designs by predecessors like the Fatih Mosque (1471) and the Bayezid II Mosque (1506). This design isolates the four pillars supporting the central dome, creating a more stunning visual effect. The interior of the mosque is a square that unfolds along a central vertical axis. When people enter, they can immediately feel the dominance of the central dome. the porches on the walls on both sides of the mosque are a bold innovation, which also foreshadows the future direction of Ottoman mosque development. This design softens the flanks of the building and hides the buttresses, allowing the facade to blend in more perfectly. The design of the Sehzade Mosque had gradually moved away from the traditional Ottoman mosque model and began to move toward Sinan's own unique style.

A diagram of the mosque published by Cornelius Gurlitt in 1912.

























The Tomb of Prince Mehmed (1543) sits southeast of the mosque. It has an octagonal structure, Persian inscriptions at the entrance, and Cuerda Seca tiles inside.







The madrasa (1546) is outside the garden on the north side of the mosque. It forms a rectangle surrounded by a gallery, with 21 student rooms and one large lecture hall on three sides. The fountain in the middle of the courtyard still keeps its Seljuk-era (11th to 13th century) tomb tower (kumbet) structure.









The public kitchen (1543-1548) is across the street east of the mosque. It consists of two buildings, each with six domes and a courtyard in the middle.







The octagonal tomb of Hüsrev Paşa is in the west of Istanbul. It is known as one of the most beautiful tombs built by Mimar Sinan. Hüsrev Paşa was a vizier of the Ottoman Empire. People called him the Mad Hüsrev Paşa because he had a bad temper. Hüsrev Paşa was born in Bosnia in 1495 and came from the famous Sokollu family. He became the governor of Egypt in 1535 and the Second Vizier in 1538. In 1544, Hüsrev Paşa lost the race for Grand Vizier to Rüstem Paşa. He died of illness shortly after, and Mimar Sinan built his tomb.





The Yavuz Sultan Selim Medrese is in the west of Istanbul. Suleiman the Magnificent commissioned Mimar Sinan to build it, and it is named after the Sultan's father, Selim I. The madrasa consists of 20 student rooms on three sides and one large lecture hall. In 1563, the lecture hall was turned into a prayer hall, and a minaret (banketa) was added. The minaret is now destroyed, and the madrasa has become a hospital.













The Rüstem Paşa Medrese is not far northeast of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and was built in 1550. This madrasa is Mimar Sinan's new take on the famous Büyük Ağa Medrese in Amasya, which was built in 1488. The Büyük Ağa Medrese was the first octagonal madrasa in Turkey. Mimar Sinan kept the internal octagonal courtyard but changed the outside to a rectangle, which was a further development in Ottoman madrasa architecture.













14. Safavid Dynasty in Iran (1501-1736)

We headed east from Istanbul, passed through several Kurdish emirates, and arrived in Tabriz in northwestern Iran.

The Safavid dynasty is considered the most important dynasty in Iran since the Sassanid Empire. The Safavid dynasty made Twelver Shia Islam the state religion, which was a major event in Islamic history. The rulers of the Safavid dynasty claimed to be descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, but historians believe they were Turkified Iranians from Iranian Kurdistan.

In 1501, Ismail I captured Tabriz, the capital of the Aq Qoyunlu, and made it the capital of the Safavid dynasty. Tabriz is now the capital of East Azerbaijan Province, and most of its residents are Azerbaijanis.

In 1550, the Safavid dynasty was ruled by Tahmasp I and was in a break between two large-scale wars with the Ottoman Empire. Between 1532 and 1555, the Ottoman Empire led by Suleiman the Magnificent and the Safavid dynasty led by Tahmasp I fought a 23-year war. Between 1548 and 1549, the Safavid dynasty used a scorched-earth policy to level Armenia, but the Ottoman army still pushed deep into the Iranian interior. After occupying the Safavid capital of Tabriz, the Ottoman army looted Hamadan, Qom, and Kashan, reaching as far as Isfahan. Tahmasp I chose not to fight the Ottoman army head-on, and the Ottoman army was forced to retreat because they ran out of food and supplies. Shortly after this in 1555, to avoid attacks from the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid dynasty moved its capital from Tabriz in the northwest to Qazvin, which was further inland.

A miniature painting of Tahmasp I painted in Qazvin, Iran, in 1575.



The location of Tabriz.



That is all for the first part. In the next post, we will visit 12 Islamic countries ruled by the descendants of Genghis Khan. view all

Reposted from the web

Summary: Topkapi Palace — Ottoman History and Imperial Istanbul is presented here as a firsthand travel account in clear English, beginning with this scene: Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Saray) sits on the site of the old Byzantine acropolis in the eastern part of Istanbul's old city, overlooking the Golden Horn. The account keeps its focus on Topkapi Palace, Ottoman History, Istanbul while preserving the names, places, food, and historical details from the Chinese source.

Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Saray) sits on the site of the old Byzantine acropolis in the eastern part of Istanbul's old city, overlooking the Golden Horn. Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror ordered its construction in 1459. Topkapi Palace was first called the New Palace (Yeni Saray) to tell it apart from the Old Palace (Eski Saray), which was built between 1454 and 1459. Topkapi Palace went through several major expansions and renovations in the 16th century. Its importance faded after the 17th century, and by the 19th century, it only served as a treasury, library, and mint.

Imperial Gate (Bâb-ı Hümâyûn)

The Imperial Gate (Bâb-ı Hümâyûn) is the main entrance to Topkapi Palace. The Imperial Gate was built in 1478 and covered in marble during the 19th century. Above the central arch is gilded Ottoman calligraphy. Besides verses, it features the tughras of two sultans who renovated the gate: Mehmed the Conqueror (reigned 1444-46, 1451-81) and Abdülaziz I (reigned 1861-76). There are guard rooms on both sides of the arch. The gate opens every day at the time of the dawn namaz and closes after the night namaz.



Hagia Irene Church (Hagia Irene)

After passing through the Gate of the Emperors, you enter the First Courtyard (I. Avlu), also known as the Court of the Janissaries or the Parade Court. Ottoman Janissaries would line both sides of the path here to welcome important guests.

On the west side of the path in the First Courtyard, you can see the Hagia Irene Church (Hagia Irene), which was built during the Byzantine period. After the palace was completed, the church was turned into an armory, and today it serves as a concert hall.



Middle Gate (Orta Kapı)

The Middle Gate (Orta Kapı) sits between the First Courtyard and the Second Courtyard (II. Avlu). This gate has two octagonal towers, and inscriptions on the gate show it dates back to 1542. During the Ottoman era, only the Sultan and the Queen Mother could ride horses through the Middle Gate. Everyone else had to dismount here.



Palace Kitchens (Saray Mutfakları)

The eastern part of the second courtyard holds the Imperial Kitchens (Saray Mutfakları). They were built in the 15th century based on the kitchens at Edirne Palace and were expanded during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. After a fire destroyed the kitchens in 1574, the chief Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan led the reconstruction. He added the two rows of 20 chimneys you see today.

The kitchens consist of 10 domed buildings connected together. These include the Harem kitchen, the outer court kitchen (Birûn), and kitchens for drinks, sweets, and dairy, along with storage rooms and staff quarters. About 800 kitchen staff members prepared food for 4,000 people.













The kitchens now display a large collection of gold, silver, and porcelain from the Ottoman court, including many pieces of Chinese porcelain.















Tower of Justice (Adalet Kulesi)

On the west side of the third courtyard is the Imperial Council Chamber (Dîvân-ı Hümâyûn), where ministers held meetings. Further to the northwest is the Sultan's Harem. A tall Tower of Justice (Adalet Kulesi) stands between the council chamber and the Harem.

The Tower of Justice is the tallest building in Topkapi Palace, and you can see it clearly from the Bosphorus Strait. The Ottoman Sultan could discuss matters with the Imperial Council through a gold-framed window in the Tower of Justice. In 1527, the scholar Celalzade Mustafa Çelebi first mentioned this window: 'His Majesty... built a towering throne and a grand loggia above the outer council hall where the viziers sat, overlooking the council hall below through a curtained window.'

The Tower of Justice was first built by Mehmed the Conqueror, expanded by Suleiman the Magnificent between 1527 and 1529, and the top was rebuilt in 1825 to give it a neoclassical style.





Gate of Carriages (Arabalar Kapısı)

The entrance connecting the Second Courtyard to the Harem is called the Gate of Carriages (Arabalar Kapısı). Inside is the Domed Cupboard Room (Dolaplı Kubbe), built in 1587 during the reign of Murad III. It served as the finance office for the Harem. The cupboards held financial records, contracts, and foundation funds for the Harem, all managed by the Chief Harem Eunuch.





Fountain Hall (Şadirvanli Sofa)

The front hall leading into the Harem is called the Fountain Hall (Şadirvanli Sofa). It connects the Harem, the private gardens, the Harem Eunuch mosque, and the Tower of Justice, and it is guarded by the Harem eunuchs. The Ablution Fountain Hall was destroyed by fire in 1665 and rebuilt in 1666, decorated with 17th-century Kutahya tiles. The bench under the tiles was for guards to rest, and there is a mounting block nearby that the Sultan used to get on his horse. There used to be a fountain here, but it was later moved to the private chamber of Murad III.











Courtyard of the Black Eunuchs (Harem Ağaları Taşlığı)

One side of the Ablution Fountain Hall leads to the Courtyard of the Black Eunuchs (Harem Ağaları Taşlığı), which is the first courtyard of the Harem. On the left side of the courtyard are the dormitories for the black eunuchs, the Princes' School, and the rooms of the Chief Black Eunuch (Kızlar Ağası), while the right side has the eunuchs' mosque and the rooms of the Harem supervisor. The buildings around the courtyard were destroyed by fire in 1665 and were later rebuilt.

On the left side of the courtyard, you can see valuable 17th to 18th-century tiles and gilded wainscoting, which feature the decrees of Sultan Mustafa IV (reigned 1807-08), Mahmud II (reigned 1808-39), and Abdulmejid I (reigned 1839-61).

The courtyard also has a beautiful fireplace decorated with 18th-century Kutahya tiles.



















Queen Mother's Apartments (Valide Sultan Dairesi)

Moving forward, you reach the Queen Mother's Apartments (Valide Sultan Dairesi), which served as the center of power for the entire harem. The Queen Mother's Apartments were destroyed in a harem fire in 1665, rebuilt between 1666 and 1668, and expanded throughout the 18th century. The rooms are covered in 17th-century blue and white, yellow and green, and Iznik tiles, while the upper levels feature 18th to 19th-century European paintings and various floral patterns.















Imperial Hall (Hünkâr Sofası)

The Imperial Hall (Hünkâr Sofası), also known as the Imperial Sofa or Throne Room, has the largest dome in the harem. The Imperial Hall served as the reception room and entertainment space for the Ottoman Sultan. The Sultan received his inner circle, guests, and family here. Various court events, including religious holidays and weddings, were held here.

The Imperial Hall was first built in the late 16th century and renovated into the Rococo style during the reign of Sultan Osman III (reigned 1754-1757). The walls of the hall are decorated with 18th-century blue and white Delftware tiles and Venetian glass mirrors, but the original classical paintings remain on the dome arches and pendentives.

The hall contains a gilded throne gifted to the Sultan by German Emperor Wilhelm II, with seats for the Queen Mother and the Sultan's wives located in the side galleries. The grandfather clock inside the hall was a gift from Queen Victoria of England.

















Private Chamber of Murad III (III. Murad Has Odası)

The Private Chamber of Murad III (III. Murad Has Odası) is one of the best-preserved and most complete buildings in the harem, built in 1578 by the chief Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The private chamber of Murad III has balanced proportions and a sensible design, showing the peak of Ottoman architecture in the late 16th century.

This private chamber has the second-largest dome in the harem, smaller only than the Imperial Hall. The room is lined with blue, white, and red Iznik tiles framed in orange, with a band of calligraphy tiles running across the middle of the walls. Inside, there is a two-story fountain; the sound of running water prevents eavesdropping and creates a relaxing atmosphere. The room also features a large fireplace decorated with colorful marble. Two luxurious 18th-century beds are also on display in the room.

Sultan Murad III reigned from 1574 to 1595. During his final years, he rarely left the palace and spent his days reading and resting in this private chamber.



















Harem Mosque (Harem Mescidi)

The Harem Mosque (Harem Mescidi) is in the northeast part of the Harem. It is where the concubines prayed and features beautiful tile decorations. This area once had fancy carpets, but now only the plain floor remains.



















Courtyard of the Favorites (Gözdeler/Mabeyn Taşlığı ve Dairesi)

The Courtyard of the Favorites (Gözdeler/Mabeyn Taşlığı ve Dairesi) is at the northernmost end of the Harem. It was expanded in the 18th century and overlooks the large pool and Boxwood Garden (Şimşirlik Bahçesi) behind the Harem. This is where the favorites (Gözdeler/İkballer) lived. If they became pregnant, they could be promoted to official consorts (Kadınefendi).









Golden Road (Altınyol)

The Golden Road (Altınyol) is a narrow passage along the main axis of the Harem. It connects the Courtyard of the Eunuchs, the Queen Mother's Courtyard, the consorts' courtyard, and the princes' chambers. You can reach the Harem exit through the Golden Road to continue touring other parts of the palace.





Mosque of the Eunuchs (Ağalar Camii)

The Servants' Mosque (Ağalar Camii) is the main mosque in the palace, dating back to the 15th-century reign of Mehmed the Conqueror. Ottoman sultans, servants (ağas), and guards all came here to perform namaz. After 1928, it became the Palace Library (Sarayı Kütüphanesi), housing tens of thousands of books and manuscripts in Turkish, Arabic, Persian, and Greek from the Ottoman Empire era.





Privy Chamber

The Privy Chamber was built in the 16th century by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and served as the Sultan's office. The room holds precious sacred relics (Mukaddes emanetler), including the Prophet Muhammad's cloak, sword, bow, tooth, beard, saber, and handwritten letters. It also contains relics of the prophets Ibrahim, Musa, and Yusuf, as well as the four Rightly Guided Caliphs. Photography is not allowed inside.

In 1517, Ottoman Sultan Selim I (reigned 1512–1520) conquered the Mamluk Sultanate, and the last Abbasid Caliph, al-Mutawakkil III, handed the Prophet Muhammad's sword and cloak to the Ottoman Empire. According to tradition, every year on the 15th day of Ramadan, the Ottoman Sultan would lead the court to visit the sacred relics and kiss the Holy Cloak.





Inner Palace Library (Enderûn Kütüphanesi)

The Inner Palace Library (Enderûn Kütüphanesi), also called the Sultan Ahmed III Library (III. Ahmed Kütüphanesi), was built in 1719 by order of Sultan Ahmed III (reigned 1703-1730). It is known as a model of 18th-century Ottoman architecture. The library holds over 3,500 precious manuscripts, which are currently kept in the Servant Mosque (Ağalar Camii).

















Balcony Mosque (Sofa Camii)

The Balcony Mosque, also called the Sofa Mosque (Sofa Camii), was built by order of Sultan Mahmud II (reigned 1808-1839) for the Sofa Ocağı military corps.



Erevan Pavilion (Revan Köşkü)

The Erevan Pavilion (Revan Köşkü) is known as the final model of classical Ottoman palace architecture. Its walls are decorated with colored marble and Iznik tiles. Ottoman Sultan Murad IV (reigned 1623-1640) built this structure in 1635-1636 to commemorate the Ottoman Empire's victory over the Persian Safavid dynasty and the capture of Erevan, which is the current capital of Armenia. The Yerevan Pavilion is called the Turban Room (Sark Odasi) because it was once the place where the Sultan's turbans were kept. In 1733, Sultan Mahmud I (reigned 1730-54) converted the Yerevan Pavilion into a private library for the Sultan.















Baghdad Pavilion (Bağdat Köşkü)

The Baghdad Pavilion (Bağdat Köşkü) is also known as the final example of classic Ottoman palace architecture. Sultan Murad IV built it in 1638 to celebrate the Ottoman Empire's victory over the Persian Safavid dynasty and the capture of Baghdad. The Baghdad Pavilion has a similar shape to the Yerevan Pavilion. It is a prime example of Ottoman hall architecture and features high-level craftsmanship. The marble panels in the porch have a Cairo Mamluk style, and the window frames are decorated with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell. The charcoal brazier (Mangal) in the center room was a gift from King Louis XIV of France (reigned 1643-1715). Starting in the mid-18th century, this place was also used as the Sultan's private library.



















Circumcision Room (Sünnet Odası)

The Circumcision Room (Sünnet Odası) was built in 1640 by the Ottoman Sultan Ibrahim (reigned 1640-1648) as a place for Ottoman princes to have their circumcisions. The inside and outside of the Circumcision Room are decorated with rare tiles collected from many different places. The most precious ones are the blue and white tiles made in 1529, which were used to decorate the palace during the time of Suleiman the Magnificent (reigned 1520-1566). view all

Reposted from the web

Summary: Edirne — Ottoman Mosques and Muslim Heritage is presented here as a firsthand travel account in clear English, beginning with this scene: This is the third part of my journey through the ancient capitals of Turkey. In the first part, "Konya: The Last Capital of the Seljuk Dynasty," I introduced how the Seljuk Turks, deeply influenced by Persian culture. The account keeps its focus on Edirne Travel, Ottoman History, Turkey Travel while preserving the names, places, food, and historical details from the Chinese source.

This is the third part of my journey through the ancient capitals of Turkey. In the first part, "Konya: The Last Capital of the Seljuk Dynasty," I introduced how the Seljuk Turks, deeply influenced by Persian culture, established the Sultanate of Rum with Konya as their capital between the 11th and 13th centuries. In the second part, "Bursa: The Birth of the Ottoman Empire," I explained how the Ottomans broke away from the Sultanate of Rum at the end of the 13th century and officially made Bursa their capital in 1326. In this part, the Ottomans turn their eyes toward Europe and officially move toward becoming an empire.



Edirne is located in the far northwest of Turkey.

Moving the capital to Europe

In the mid-14th century, the Ottomans crossed the straits to invade the southern Balkan Peninsula, gradually advancing toward Adrianople, the third-largest city of the Byzantine Empire, ranking only behind Constantinople and Thessaloniki. In 1369, the third Ottoman Sultan, Murad I (reigned 1362–1389), captured Adrianople and renamed the city Edirne. From then on, Edirne became the Ottoman center in Europe.

In 1402, the fourth Ottoman Sultan, Bayezid I (reigned 1389–1402), was defeated and captured by the great conqueror Timur in the Battle of Ankara and died shortly after. His four sons fought for the throne, triggering the Ottoman Interregnum, the largest civil war in early Ottoman history, and Edirne rose to become the capital during this conflict.

In 1403, Prince Süleyman Çelebi declared himself Emir in Edirne and controlled Rumeli, the European part of the Ottoman lands. The following year, he crossed the straits to occupy Bursa and Ankara in the Asian part, becoming the most powerful prince at the time. However, after taking power, Süleyman became increasingly extravagant and indifferent to state affairs. In 1411, abandoned by his followers, Süleyman was defeated by Prince Musa in Edirne and executed, and Edirne became Prince Musa's capital.

In 1413, Prince Mehmed defeated Musa, occupied Edirne, and finally won the civil war. On June 5, 1413, Mehmed was officially crowned in Edirne as the fifth Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed I (reigned 1413–1421). The capital of the Ottoman dynasty officially moved from Bursa in Asia to Edirne in Europe, where it remained until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

City construction

During the period when Bursa was the capital, the Ottoman dynasty developed a new form of urban construction: building social complexes known as Külliye in the commercial districts outside the city walls. After moving the capital to Edirne, the Ottomans continued to use this form. After Prince Süleyman made Edirne his capital in 1403, he immediately began building the first complex in Edirne, the Old Mosque (Eski Cami) complex, east of the Roman-era Hadrianopolis fortress. During the reign of Sultan Murad II (reigned 1421–1444, 1446–1451), the second complex, the Muradiye complex, and the third, the Three-Balcony (Üç Şerefeli) complex, were built in Edirne, along with a royal palace in the north.

Contents

1. Old Mosque complex: construction started in 1403

1. Old Mosque (Eski Cami): 1414

2. Covered market (Bedesten): 1418

3. Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai (Rüstem Paşa Kervansarayı): 1561

4. Ali Pasha Bazaar (Ali Paşa Çarşısı): 1569

2. Muradiye Mosque: 1436

3. Three-Balcony Mosque (Üç Şerefeli Cami) complex: construction started in 1438

1. Three-Balcony Mosque (Üç Şerefeli Cami): 1447

2. Saatli Madrasa (Saatli Medresesi): 1447

3. Peykler Madrasa (Peykler Medresesi): 1450s

4. Taş Han Caravanserai: 15th century

5. Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Bath (Sokollu Mehmed Paşa Hamamı): second half of the 16th century

4. Edirne Palace: construction started in 1450

1. Rise and fall of the palace

2. Palace composition

5. Kasım Pasha Mosque (Kasım Paşa Camii): 1479

6. Sultan Bayezid II complex: 1488

1. Mosque

2. Medical school

3. Hospital

1. Old Mosque complex: construction started in 1403

1. Old Mosque (Eski Cami): 1414

After the Ottoman Interregnum began in 1403, Prince Suleiman, who declared himself Emir in Edirne, started building his own mosque. However, the mosque was still unfinished when Suleiman died in 1411.

In 1413, Prince Mehmed was crowned Sultan Mehmed I in Edirne, and he officially completed the construction of the mosque the following year. This mosque is the oldest surviving one in Edirne, so it is called the Old Mosque (Eski Cami).

The Old Mosque is among the last of the multi-domed mosques to use the early Ottoman Seljuk style, featuring a total of nine central domes. Compared to earlier Seljuk multi-domed mosques, the dome diameters of the Old Mosque are noticeably larger, showing that the Ottomans were beginning to move past their early architectural phase.

The coronation ceremonies for the 21st Ottoman Sultan, Ahmed II (reigned 1691-1695), and the 22nd Sultan, Mustafa II (reigned 1695-1703), were both held here. The Old Mosque suffered massive damage in an earthquake in the mid-18th century, and was later ordered to be rebuilt by Mahmud I (reigned 1696-1754). The Old Mosque was renovated again between 1924 and 1934.









Inside the main hall





Dome





Old murals









Mihrab





Minbar







When I visited, I happened to catch a group of aunties listening to the imam's chanting in the mosque, so I sat down and listened for a while too. As soon as I sat down, aunties kept handing out pastries and candies to everyone. Other aunties were busy squeezing hand sanitizer and passing out napkins, so I received all kinds of pastries and candies while listening to the melodic chanting. Even though we could not speak the same language, I felt very warm inside.







2. Covered market (Bedesten): 1418

The covered market (Bedesten) is right next to the Old Mosque. It was built in 1418 by the fifth Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed I, primarily to support the operations of the Old Mosque.

This building is a classic example of an early Ottoman covered market and has been in use ever since. The building is a rectangle 78 meters long and 41 meters wide, with 14 domes on top and 54 shops along the four sides. It underwent a major renovation in 2007.







3. Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai (Rüstem Paşa Kervansarayı): 1561

The Rustem Pasha Caravanserai (Rüstem Paşa Kervansarayı) was ordered to be built in 1561 by the Ottoman Grand Vizier Rustem Pasha (Rüstem Paşa) and designed by the famous architect Mimar Sinan.

The caravanserai has two floors, with 102 guest rooms inside and 21 shops on the outside. Today, the interior is a hotel, and the shops on the outside are still operating.











4. Ali Pasha Bazaar (Ali Paşa Çarşısı): 1569

The Ali Pasha Bazaar (Ali Paşa Çarşısı) was ordered to be built in 1569 by the Ottoman Grand Vizier Ali Pasha (Ali Paşa) and designed by the famous architect Mimar Sinan.

The bazaar includes 130 shops and 6 gates. The bazaar caught fire in 1991 and was later rebuilt.









2. Muradiye Mosque: 1436

The Muradiye Mosque (Muradiye Camii) is a small T-shaped mosque on a hill in the north of Edirne, ordered to be built in 1436 by the sixth Ottoman Sultan, Murad II (reigned 1421-1444). It was originally part of a Sufi Mevlevi order complex before being converted into a mosque.

The Muradiye Mosque was once a complex that included a public kitchen (imaret) and a primary school (mekteb), but today only the mosque remains. It was severely damaged by earthquakes, and the minaret has been rebuilt several times; its current appearance dates from a major renovation in 1957.









The interior of the mosque is famous for its beautiful tiles. Before they were stolen in 2001, there were 479 tiles in the main hall with 54 different designs, 15 of which appeared only once, showing a strong influence from Yuan dynasty blue and white porcelain. The blue and white hexagonal tiles are the earliest examples of underglaze tiles in the Ottoman period. Because some tiles are arranged inconsistently, some scholars believe part of them were moved here from the Ottoman palace in Edirne in the north.











The mosque preserves a 15th-century mihrab covered in tiles, which bears the name of Sultan Murad II. The Cuerda Seca style of the mihrab tiles is very similar to the Green Mosque (Yeşil Camii) in Bursa, built in 1421, and was likely made by the same team of craftsmen. The mihrab of the Green Mosque in Bursa was reportedly designed by a master from Tabriz, Iran. Therefore, this master likely traveled to Edirne to design the mihrab for the Muradiye Mosque.





3. Three-Balcony Mosque (Üç Şerefeli Cami) complex: construction started in 1438

1. Three-Balcony Mosque (Üç Şerefeli Cami): 1447

The Three-Balcony Mosque (Üç Şerefeli Camii) is known as a major landmark that started a new era of Ottoman architecture, serving as the first mosque in Ottoman history with a central dome and a portico. The mosque was commissioned by the sixth Ottoman Sultan, Murad II (reigned 1421–1444), in 1438 and completed in 1447.

The Three-Balcony Mosque is located not far northwest of the Old Mosque and was the largest mosque in the Ottoman Empire when it was finished. This mosque is considered a pioneer of the classic Ottoman mosque style, being among the first to transition from the Seljuk multi-dome design to a central large dome, featuring a central dome 24 meters in diameter.

The Three-Balcony Mosque gets its name from the three balconies on its minaret. This was the tallest minaret in the Ottoman Empire at the time, standing 76 meters high with 203 steps, and it can be climbed to the balconies using three different paths.

The underglaze tiles of the mosque are very similar in style to those of the Green Mosque in Bursa (1421) and the Muradiye Mosque in Edirne (1436), and were likely all designed by the person known as the Master of Tabriz.

The architectural design of the Three-Balcony Mosque greatly inspired the great 16th-century Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, who built upon this foundation to eventually create the most magnificent mosques of the Ottoman Empire.

The Three-Balcony Mosque suffered from fire and an earthquake in the mid-18th century and was later restored.





Minaret



Minaret



Portico entrance



Side of the portico



View of the main hall from the portico



Portico



Portico



Portico dome



Portico dome



Dome above the main hall door



Central large dome



Main hall



Main hall



Mihrab



Mihrab



2. Saatli Madrasa (Saatli Medresesi): 1447

Saatli Madrasa is directly opposite the Three-Balcony Mosque and was also completed in 1447.







3. Peykler Madrasa (Peykler Medresesi): 1450s

Peykler Madrasa is right next to the south side of Saatli Madrasa and was built a few years later.







4. Taş Han Caravanserai: 15th century

The Stone Inn (Taşhan Inn) is across the street to the west of the Three-Balcony Mosque and was built in the 15th century.





5. Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Bath (Sokollu Mehmed Paşa Hamamı): second half of the 16th century

The Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Bath (Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Hamamı) was commissioned in the second half of the 16th century by the Ottoman Grand Vizier Sokullu Mehmet Pasha (in office 1565–1579) and built by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.

The bathhouse was built right next to the Tash Khan inn. It consists of a men's section and a women's section and is known as one of the most important bathhouses in the Ottoman Empire.







4. Edirne Palace: construction started in 1450

1. Rise and fall of the palace

Edirne Palace (Edirne Sarayı) was ordered to be built by Sultan Murad II in 1450, but construction stopped the following year when the Sultan passed away. After a period of inactivity, it was finally completed in 1475 by his successor, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

The palace was expanded continuously between the 16th and 18th centuries. The most important period was during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (1520–1566), when the chief architect Mimar Sinan redesigned the palace and solved the water supply issue by building canals. To protect the palace from flooding, the canals were built in an arc shape around it.

The palace stopped being used after Ahmed III moved to Istanbul in 1718. It did not return to use until Mustafa III (reigned 1757–1774) returned to Edirne in 1768. During those fifty years, the palace gradually fell into disrepair and suffered through an earthquake in 1752 and a fire in 1776.

Mahmud II (reigned 1808–1839) carried out small-scale repairs in 1825, but the palace was severely damaged and occupied as a military barracks after the Russian army captured Edirne in 1829.

Between 1868 and 1873, some parts of the palace were repaired by the mayor at the time. During the Russo-Turkish War in 1877, the governor of Edirne feared the Russian army would take the city and intentionally blew up an ammunition depot near the palace. This caused severe damage, and building materials from the palace were later continuously stripped away for use elsewhere.

2. Palace composition

At its peak, the palace consisted of 72 buildings, including 117 rooms, 14 mansions, 18 bathhouses, 9 mosques, 17 gates, and 13 cellars. At its busiest, 34,000 people lived inside.

The main building of the palace is called the Panorama Pavilion (Cihannüma Kasrı), also known as the Imperial Throne (Taht-ı Hümayun), built in 1450. The Panorama Pavilion is a seven-story building with an octagonal room at the top. It includes the Sultan's room, a room for flags, a library, and a mosque.

Initial archaeological excavations of the Panorama Pavilion took place in 1956. In 2001, sponsored by the National Palaces Administration, archaeological and restoration work began on the palace gate, the Gate of Felicity (Bab'üs Sa'ade), and the Panorama Pavilion (Cihannüma Kasrı) site, which was completed in 2004.

The Sand Pavilion Bathhouse (Kum Kasrı Hamamı) was built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. It is another palace ruin that survives today, and it was excavated in 2000.

The Imperial Kitchen (Matbah-ı Amire) is located on the southwest side of the palace. It has eight domes, and while the north facade is gone, most of it remains well-preserved.

The Court of Justice (Kasr-ı Adalet) is on the south bank of the Tunca River. It was ordered to be built in 1561 by Suleiman the Magnificent, who is also known as Suleiman the Lawgiver.

The Conqueror's Bridge (Fatih Köprüsü) is next to the Court of Justice and was built by Mehmed the Conqueror in 1452.

The Kanuni Bridge (Kanuni Köprüsü), also called the Palace Bridge, was built in 1554 by Mimar Sinan under the orders of Suleiman the Magnificent.

Because Edirne Palace is currently under renovation and closed to the public, I could only look at it from the outside.



On the left is the Panorama Pavilion, and on the right is the Sand Pavilion Bathhouse.



An old photo of the Panorama Pavilion before it was destroyed.



On the left are the Gate of Felicity and the Panorama Pavilion; on the right is the Imperial Kitchen.



The Court of Justice.



The Kanuni Bridge.

5. Kasım Pasha Mosque (Kasım Paşa Camii): 1479

The Kasım Pasha Mosque (Evliya Kasım Paşa Cami) is located by the river in the southeast of Edirne. It was ordered to be built by Kasım Pasha in 1479. Kasım Pasha was a famous Ottoman general who served as the commander of Rumelia, the European part of the Ottoman Empire. He commanded troops during the wars between the Ottoman Empire and the multinational crusader forces of Poland and Hungary between 1443 and 1444, fighting in places like Serbia and Bulgaria.

The mosque closed after 1950 due to the construction of a dam. Since then, it has been continuously damaged by floods, making it the most wild, early Ottoman mosque in Edirne.









The mihrab on the outer wall.



The entrance to the bunker tower.



The steps of the bunker tower.



Dome



Main hall



Mihrab



Mihrab



Architectural pieces scattered on the ground.



The tomb of Kasim Pasha.



The road leading to the mosque.



The road leading to the mosque.

6. Sultan Bayezid II complex: 1488

The Sultan Bayezid II Complex (Sultan II Bayezid Külliyesi) sits on the north bank of the Tunca River in the northwest suburbs of Edirne. It was built by order of the eighth Ottoman Sultan, Bayezid II, who reigned from 1481 to 1512. Bayezid II was the son of Mehmed the Conqueror and was known as 'the Just'. During his reign, he worked to maintain government affairs at home and defeated the Republic of Venice abroad, leading the Ottoman Empire into a prosperous era.

The entire complex includes many buildings such as a mosque, a medical school (Medrese-i Etibba), a public kitchen (imaret), a hospital (darüşşifa), a bathhouse (hamam), and warehouses.







1. Mosque



View of the main hall from the portico



Looking at the front porch from the main hall.



Portico



Portico



Portico dome



Portico dome



Portico dome



The main gate of the hall.



The dome of the main hall.



Main hall



Main hall



Minbar



Minbar



Main hall



Mihrab

2. Medical school

The Sultan Bayezid II Medical School (Sultan II Bayezid Medrese-i Etibba) was known as one of the best medical schools in the Ottoman Empire, consisting of 18 classrooms and a large lecture hall. The famous 17th-century Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi mentioned in his writings that this medical school studied the works of various ancient Greek philosophers, scientists, and physicians, including Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Galen, and Pythagoras. Every doctor was an expert in a different field, and they tried to find the best treatments by studying various medical texts.



















3. Hospital

The Sultan Bayezid II Hospital (Sultan II Bayezid Darüşşifa) is the most important part of the entire complex. From its completion in 1488 until the Russo-Turkish War in 1877, this hospital provided continuous treatment to patients and was especially famous for using sound and scent for mental health therapy. Today, it has become part of a health museum. view all

Reposted from the web

Summary: Edirne — Ottoman Mosques and Muslim Heritage is presented here as a firsthand travel account in clear English. The account keeps its focus on Edirne Travel, Ottoman History, Muslim Heritage while preserving the names, places, food, and historical details from the Chinese source. view all