Restoration work at the historic Selimiye Mosque, designed by Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, is nearing completion.
Major repairs—including landscaping, minaret restoration, and structural reinforcement—are almost finished. The remaining work focuses on decorative painting inside the dome, known as “kalem işi,” which is expected to be completed within two to three months.
The restoration, launched in November 2021 by the General Directorate of Foundations, has been overseen by a scientific committee.
Key efforts included stone repairs and cleaning on all four minarets, replication and installation of 64 turquoise tiles beneath the minaret caps, and reinforcement of the main and courtyard domes, followed by lead cladding.
Two main gates and three courtyard entrances were restored to their original form, while the mosque’s windows and wooden frames were replaced.
Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is considered Sinan’s architectural masterpiece and remains a symbol of Ottoman engineering and artistry.