This 1570s mosque in Edirne is considered to be Mimar Sinan’s best.  It is composed of two parts – the courtyard (shan) and musalla (prayer hall).  It was the model mosque for all subsequent mosques, and it has become the Ottoman mosque.  With it, Sinan attempted to emulate Hagia Sophia.

The ratio of the rise to span of the dome is much better than Hagia Sophia’s.  Sinan solves the low rise to span ratio of previous domes with the minaret.  Selimiye’s dome sits on an octagonal structure having eight point columns loaded.  The thrust is taken by the minarets.  Buttresses are further weighted  by members that are all in stone.

The call to prayer is made on the balconies of the minarets.  There are eight people on the balconies in unison.  They are muazzins who summon the faithful to prayer five times a day.