Selimiye Mosque, Edirne: Sinan's Masterpiece (Visitor Guide)

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is the crowning achievement of the Ottoman Empire's greatest architect, Mimar Sinan , and a pinnacle of Islamic architecture. A visit is absolutely essential for anyone interested in art, history, and engineering; the Selimiye Mosque Edirne is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a spiritual and aesthetic experience that rivals anything in Istanbul , but with a fraction of the crowds. Fact Detail Location Edirne , Edirne Province, Türkiye Period & Type Imperial Ottoman Mosque; built 1568 - 1574 What It Is A vast mosque and its social complex ( külliye ), considered the masterwork of architect Mimar Sinan . UNESCO Status Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 . Entry Free of charge (it is an active mosque). Typical Visit Length About 1 hour for the mosque interior; 2 hours for the entire complex. Nearest Airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Driving Time from Istanbul Roughly 2.5-3 hours (approx. 230 km). Best Months to Visit April-June and September-October for pleasant weather. What Is the Selimiye Mosque and Why Is It So Famous? Welcome to Edirne ! As licensed guides who have shown countless travellers the wonders of our country, we can tell you that few buildings in Turkey inspire the same awe as the Selimiye Mosque . Commissioned by Sultan Selim II and built between 1568 and 1574 , this is not just another imperial mosque. It is the building that its legendary architect, Mimar Sinan , declared to be his "masterpiece." It stands on a low hill, its four impossibly slender minarets and vast single dome dominating the skyline of Edirne , the former capital of the Ottoman Empire. Its fame rests on its perfect architectural harmony, its groundbreaking structural solution