Sinan

Architect of the Ottoman empire, b. 15 April 1489 (Agirnaz, Turkey), d. 17 July 1588 (Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey).

Sinan, also known as Mimar Sinan ("Architect Sinan") and Mimar Koca Sinan ("Great Architect Sinan") was born to Greek Orthodox Christian parents, who christianed him Joseph. His father was a stone mason and carpenter, and Sinan entered the same trade.

In 1512 Ottoman officials visited his village to draft Christian youths into the Janissary corps and chose Sinan for service to the Ottoman royal house. He received the customary rigorous training and schooling and became a construction officer and eventually chief of the artillery in the Ottoman army.

His talents as an architect were discovered when he designed fortifications and bridges, and he became the chief architect of the empire. He designed and supervised the building of

• 79 mosques
• 34 palaces
• 33 public baths
• 19 tombs
• 55 schools
• 16 poorhouses
• 7 medreses
• 12 caravanseries

Sinan's buildings brought a new vitalization of Islamic architecture, based on the adaptation of earlier styles. His mosques were greatly influenced by the Hagia Sophia. The best known of Sinan's works are

• the Sehzade Mosque in Istanbul, completed in 1548 and regarded by Sinan as his best apprenticeship piece,
• the Mosque of Süleyman I in Istanbul, built during 1550 - 1570, which shows the influence of the Hagia Sophia in the 32 openings around its dome that allow light to flood the mosque's interior, and
• the Mosque of Selim in Edirne, built during 1569 - 1575, which Sinan regarded as his best work.

The exterior (above) and courtyard (below) of the Mosque of Selim II, Edirne, Turkey.

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