The capital of the Ottoman empire, Constantinople, was located on two continents.  Therefore the artistic style that developed under the Ottomans shows elements of the eastern and western heritage.  One of the most influential buildings in the development of the Ottoman mosque is the Hagia Sophia.  This structure was a magnificent Christian church which was converted into a mosque. (It originally did not have minarets). One of the most impressive features of the church was its immense dome which gave a sense of grandeur because of the space it created.  Such a great dome had never been built and this inspired an architect, by the name of Sinan, to build for Islam a dome that would surpass the Christian dome.

Sinan came to the court of Selim I (r. 1512-20) through a system that took Christian boys from their homes and raised as Muslims loyal to the sultan.  He was thus a member of the Janissary, a military organization working for the protection of the ruler.  But Sinan is remembered more for his role as of director of building.  Sinan travelled extensively so he was able to draw from many traditions in his building designs.
 

Sinan's patron, Suleyman, (who succeeded Selim I) considered himself the second Solomon (an ancient king known for his greatness) and therefore required equally magnificent buildings.  The mosque that Sinan built became the classic style for the Ottoman period.  The Suleymaniye, built in 1557 in Constantinople, was more than a mosque alone.  It was a complex of buildings including schools, baths, soup kitchens and shops.  The mosque itself is similar to the Hagia Sophia with its central dome over a plain worship space.  Mosques such as this were a symbol of power and might as they were paid for by the spoils of war.

Sinan's masterpiece, the Selimiye Mosque at Edirne (two views below), was constructed in 1574. Here the plan of the building reaches perfection.  The plan of the mosque no longer depends on the rectangular shape of the Christian basilica seen in the Hagia Sophia.  The dome is placed above a square so there are no columns to obstruct the view of the qibla wall.  The effect is an interior that is light and airy.  It was here that Sinan felt he had surpassed the Hagia Sophia.
 
 

Selimiye exterior

Selimiye interior

This mosque type, with an enormous dome and tall, thin minarets, was popularized during the reign of Suleyman.  How could this mosque plan be used by Suleyman and succeeding rulers, as a part of their plan to maintain their empire?