Legends around the süleymaniye mosque

Abstract

The Süleymaniye Complex and Mosque, built by Mimar Sinan by order of Sulei- man the Magnificent, doubtless claims its place in our cultural heritage as one of the masterpieces of the Ottoman architecture. Our oral tradition, too, has not been indifferent to the Süleymaniye Mosque, a significant structure with its historical and architectural characteristics. Turkish people have devised, as part of the oral cultural tradition, many legends regarding the Mosque from its construction in the XVI Century to date. This study aims to demonstrate historical and religious roots of the relevant legends regarding the Süleymaniye Mosque after identifying them in oral and written sources. In addition, we will discuss why legends on the Suleymaniye Mosque was for- med in the imagination of the society, what meanings have been attributed to the Mosque and historical facts and cultural background upon which they are based. In doing so, we will use mythical texts compiled from written, oral and electronic sources.