EDIRNE
Selimiye Mosque and its social complex
Date of inclusion on the World Heritage List: 06/27/2011
List reference: 1366
Criteria: Cultural
A masterpiece of classical Ottoman architecture
Edirne was the capital of the Ottoman Empire before the conquest of Istanbul and is famous for its mosques, elegant domes and minarets, where Selimiye is the main monument in this historic city. The complex, built in the historic center of Edirne, includes this magnificent mosque, two madrasas, a primary school and a covered bazaar. The mosque, which bears the name of the then ruling Sultan Selim II, was built in the 16th century by the architect Mimar Sinan.
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The square mosque with its single large dome and four slender minarets dominates the skyline of the former Ottoman capital Edirne. Sinan, the most famous Ottoman architect of the 16th century, considered the complex, which includes madrasas (Islamic schools), a covered market, a clock house, an outdoor courtyard, and a library, to be his best work. The interior decoration with Iznik tiles from the peak period of their production testifies to an art form that remains unsurpassed in this material. The complex is considered to be the most harmonious expression that Ottoman külliye has ever achieved, a group of buildings built around a mosque and managed as a single facility.
Excellent universal value
Brief synthesis
Commissioned by Selim II, the Selimiye Mosque complex dominates the skyline of Edirne, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire. He is the ultimate architectural expression of the architect Sinan of the Ottoman külliye. The imposing mosque, which rises to its only large dome with four towering slender minarets, a spectacularly decorated interior, a manuscript library, meticulous craftsmanship, brilliant Iznik tiles and a marble courtyard along with the associated educational facilities, the outer courtyard and the covered bazaar – an art form and the pious benevolence of 16th century Imperial Islam. The architectural composition of the Selimiye Mosque complex in its dominant location is the culmination of the great work of Sinan, the most outstanding architect of the Ottoman Empire.
Criterion (i): The Selimiye Mosque Complex in Edirne is a masterpiece of the human creative genius of the architect Sinan, the most famous of all Ottoman architects in the 16th century. The single large dome, which is supported by eight columns, has a diameter of 31.5 on a prayer area of 45 x 36 m and dominates the skyline of the city with its four towering minarets. The innovative structural design enabled numerous windows that create an exceptionally lighted interior. The mosque complex was recognized by Sinan himself as his most important architectural work.
Criterion (iv): The Selimiye Mosque with its dome, its spatial concept, its architectural and technological ensemble and its location, which crowns the cityscape, shows a significant stage in human history, the height of the Ottoman Empire. The interior decoration with Iznik tiles from the high phase of their production testifies to a great art form that can never be surpassed in this material. The mosque with its charitable dependencies is the most harmonious expression that the Külliye have ever seen, this peculiar Ottoman complex.
integrity
The Selimiye Mosque Complex contains all of the attributes of its outstanding universal value within the property line, is well preserved and does not suffer from the adverse effects of development. Given the importance of the property’s dominant location and landmark status, it is extremely important that all viewing corridors remain protected.

authenticity
The mosque complex retains its authenticity in terms of shape and design, material and substance. The mosque and arasta retain their authenticity in terms of use and function, spirit and feel. The madrasas have been slightly modified to accommodate suitable new uses as museums.
Protection and management requirements
The property is under National Cultural and Natural Heritage Conservation Law No. 2863 and Religious Foundations Law No. 5737, and all work requires approval from the Regional Conservation Council. The Edirne Municipality is setting up a Coordination and Monitoring Board, made up of representatives from local and central institutions, to oversee the development of the management plan for the Selimiye Mosque Complex. In addition, there will be an advisory body made up of scientists, representatives of NGOs, the Chamber of Architects, local and central government and local citizens to evaluate the management plan and make proposals. The aim of the management plan is to ensure the preservation of the Selimiye Mosque and the transmission of its cultural and functional values to future generations. They include structure preservation, management of development pressures including urban development within the buffer zone, visitor management, visitor services, research and training, data management and administration. An action plan is included with short term (1-3 years) and long term (over 5 years) items. Good coordination between the various bodies responsible for the city maintenance plan (master plan) for the historic core of the city of Edirne and the management plan for the property, including its preservation, maintenance and visitor management, is necessary to ensure effective management of the property Property. Part of this should be the documentation of the traditional systems for maintaining and managing property.
Привет, приятный обмен.
Привет, приятный обмен.
Die Türkei mag die Träume, eine Tür zu öffnen.
both secure and cheaper to vacation in Turkey.
I love to visit historical places.
Cosa si dovrebbe fare per rendere la tua vacanza in Turchia Sono venuto sul tuo sito e ricevo molte informazioni quando lo chiedo.
Es gibt viel schönere Hotels in der Türkei.
Sì sono d’accordo, ci sono tanti posti bellissimi.
There are some really cool places Selimiye Mosque and it’s Social Complex.
Нам так понравилось, что мы приедем снова.
Места, которые мы видели в предыдущей поездке, действительно стоит посетить, вы освежили наши воспоминания.
В Турции есть очень красивые и чистые отели.
I luoghi che abbiamo visto nel nostro viaggio precedente dovrebbero davvero essere visitati, hai rinfrescato i nostri ricordi.
sicher und billiger in der Türkei Urlaub zu machen.
В Турции много красивых курортов.
Amo visitare i luoghi storici.
You can economically vacation in Turkey.
Bonjour, joli partage.
Sì sono d’accordo, ci sono tanti posti bellissimi.
There are very nice and clean hotels in Turkey.
There are many beautiful resorts in Turkey.
I came with my family, we liked it very much, we will come again.
I just want to Turkey’s holiday resort.
Ci sono resort molto belli e puliti in Turchia.
Ci sono alcuni posti davvero interessanti.
Ciao, bella condivisione.
Il y a des paysages de rêve en Turquie.
sicher und billiger in der Türkei Urlaub zu machen.
I question why I came to Turkey until now. I will come at the first opportunity.
Penso che ci siano molti posti da visitare in questo paese.
В Турции есть очень красивые и чистые курорты.
Oui je suis d’accord, il y a beaucoup de beaux endroits.
Ich wusste nicht, dass die Türkei so schön ist.
Il y a des hôtels très agréables et propres en Turquie.
Nous sommes allés à Antalya en Turquie et nous avons beaucoup aimé.
Ich denke, es gibt viele Orte in diesem Land zu besuchen.
Il y a des hôtels très agréables et propres en Turquie.
Ich möchte nur in den Ferienort der Türkei.
Verrò alla prima occasione.
Cosa si dovrebbe fare per rendere la tua vacanza in Turchia Sono venuto sul tuo sito e ricevo molte informazioni quando lo chiedo.
Oui je suis d’accord, il y a beaucoup de beaux endroits.
Wir waren in Antalya in der Türkei und es hat uns sehr gut gefallen.
J’adore visiter les lieux historiques.
Um die Reisen zu planen, müssen wir schnell loslegen.
What are the places to visit in Artvin?
Je me demande pourquoi je suis venu en Turquie jusqu’à présent. Je viendrai à la première occasion.
Siamo stati a Nevsehir, in Turchia, e ci è piaciuto molto.
Bonjour merci.
Это предпочтительная страна для безопасного отдыха.
Wir waren in Antalya in der Türkei und es hat uns sehr gut gefallen.
Wir waren in Izmir in der Türkei und es hat uns sehr gut gefallen.
Thank you for giving so much information about Turkey, I share.
Il y a un très beau complexe hôtelier propre en Turquie.
Hallo, schönes Teilen.
Es gibt viele schöne Landschaften in der Türkei.
Les endroits que nous avons vus lors de notre précédent voyage devraient vraiment être visités, vous avez rafraîchi nos souvenirs.
Je ne savais pas que la Turquie était si belle.
Hello, nice sharing.
Nous sommes allés à Izmir en Turquie et nous avons beaucoup aimé.
Yes I agree, there are many beautiful places.
В Турции есть очень красивые и чистые отели.
Mi chiedo perché sono venuto in Turchia fino ad ora. Verrò alla prima occasione.
Места, которые мы видели в предыдущей поездке, действительно стоит посетить, вы освежили наши воспоминания.
Mi chiedo perché sono venuto in Turchia fino ad ora. Verrò alla prima occasione.
Thank you for giving so much information about Turkey, I share.
Je pense que je devrais aller dans plus d’endroits.
В Турции много красивых курортов.
Я спрашиваю, почему я приехал в Турцию до сих пор. Приду при первой же возможности.
Нам так понравилось, что мы приедем снова.
Ich bin mit meiner Familie gekommen, es hat uns sehr gut gefallen, wir werden wiederkommen.
Ci sono alberghi molto più belli in Turchia.