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Dick Osseman | all galleries >> Istanbul >> Mosques - Camiler >> Sinan >> Süleymaniye >> Süleymaniye complex other buildings > Istanbul december 2009 7049.jpg
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17-DEC-2008

Istanbul december 2009 7049.jpg

The mosque being in restoration I just toured some of the buildings belonging to the larger complex, here are some shots, mainly of the southern and western side.

An elegant ‘kitabe’ (building inscription) above the entrance of one of the ‘medrese’ (school) belonging to the Süleymaniye Complex. Classical Ottoman, 1549-1557.
The oval cartouche above it contains the ‘tuğra’ of Süleyman II.

A ‘tuğra’ is a calligraphic monogram, seal or signature of an Ottoman sultan, that was affixed to all official documents and correspondence. It was also carved on his seal and stamped on the coins minted during his reign. Each sultan generally chose the precise form of his ‘tuğra’ on the day of his accession from specimens prepared for him in advance by the court calligrapher. The first ‘tuğra’ belonged to Orhan I (1284–1359), the second ruler of the Ottoman Empire and it evolved until it reached the classical form in the ‘tuğra’ of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1494–1566).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: (amongst others) Wikipedia.

Nikon D3
1/80s f/8.0 at 35.0mm iso1600 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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