Major Works
Mimar Sinan's architectural legacy is immense and is often divided into three phases:
Apprenticeship: The Şehzade Mosque, Istanbul.
Sinan considered this mosque, built in memory of the deceased son of Suleyman the Magnificent, his "apprenticeship." Although it was one of his first major projects, it already demonstrates his talent with a perfectly symmetrical floor plan and a large central dome supported by four semi-domes.
Masterpiece: The Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul.
This complex, situated on one of Istanbul's seven hills, is one of his most famous buildings. Sinan considered it his "masterpiece." He designed not only the mosque itself but also the surrounding complex (külliye) with schools, a hospital, a library, and bathhouses. The mosque is known for its harmonious proportions and acoustics so perfect that a whisper inside the mosque can be heard even in the furthest corners.