Suleymaniye Mosque is preceded on its west side by a monumental courtyard (avlu) of exceptional grander with a colonnaded peristyle with columns of marble , granite and porphyry . Four minarets rise at the four corners of the courtyard , a sign that the mosque is endowed by a sultan , as princes and princesses could construct two minarets at most; while others can not exceed only one . The two minarets on the west side have two galleries (serefes) and rise at a height of 56 meters , while the two other minarets at both edges of the last congregation place are 76 meters high with three galleries (serefes) . The number of galleries by tradition indicates that Suleiman I was the 10th Ottoman sultan .
At the time of its built the main dome of the mosque was considered the highest in the whole Ottoman Empire . It rises 53 meters and has a large diameter of 26 . 5 meters , and is supported by half domes on its axis . At North and South direction , there is extensions with naves covered with independent domes , resembling Beyazit Mosque in such plan .
The main place of worship is rectangular in design measuring 61 x 70 meters , The structure is mainly carried by giant plates known as "elephant feet" at four corners of the dome
. There are sharp vaults supporting and connecting the plates . These vaults bulge outside at north and south and constitute the famous Golden Horn silhouette of Suleyman . There are weight towers rising over the plates , which became a model for later mosques as well .
The omamentations of the mosque were renewed in the 19th century and have more plainer look compared to other mosques . Vaults has an altemate order in red and white . The walls of the mihrab (niche) are ornamented with stained glass . At both sides of the minbar (pulpit) , tile medallions ornamented with calligraphy on both sides were used . At the graveyard , on the side of the altar at Suleymaniye Mosque , some tombs are there belonging to Kanuni Sultan Slileyman who had the complex (kulliye) built and his wife Hurrem Sultan as well as some leading people . Also , the tomb of Koca Sinan , the architect of the palace , is the beautiful structure that is modestly proportioned at the northwest comer of the mosque on Mimar Sinan Avenue .
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