Commissioned by Sultan Süleyman I (Süleyman the Magnificient), this mosque was built between 1550-1557 by Sinan the Architect. Described as a work from Sinan’s apprenticeship period, the mosque is actually part of the Süleymaniye Complex (Külliye), also including a madrasah (religious school), library, hospital, bath, soup kitchen, treasury and shops. Resting on four massive columns, the mosque’s dome is 53 metres high and 26.5 metres in diameter. Its interior is subtly decorated, with the windows on the mihrab wall decorated with stained glass.