Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

THE GREAT SINAN None of today’s star architects come close to having the influence over a city that Mimar Koca Sinan had over Constantinople during his 50-year career. Born in 1497, Sinan was a recruit to the devşirme, the annual intake of Christian youths into the janissaries. He became a Muslim (as all such recruits did) and eventually took up a post as a military engineer in the corps. Süleyman the Magnificent appointed him the chief of the imperial architects in 1538. Sinan designed a total of 321 buildings, 85 of which are still standing in İstanbul. He died in 1588 and is buried in a self-designed türbe (tomb) located in one of the corners of the Süleymaniye Mosque, the building that many believe to be his greatest work.

Unfortunately, İstanbul notches up regular mentions in the World Monuments Fund’s watchlist of heritage in danger. Recent entries include Haydarpaşa train station, the historic city walls and the Rum (Greek) Orphanage on Büyükada.