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Renowned historian Professor Ilber Ortayli has voiced serious concerns over the ongoing restoration of Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Türkiye, one of the architectural masterpieces of the Ottoman era. He criticized the changes made to the mosque’s dome decorations, warning that the work carried out may not remain faithful to Mimar Sinan’s original design.
“The difference in taste between the old structure and the new one is clear to anyone who looks with a naked eye,” he remarked, suggesting that decisions are either being made incompetently or through favoritism.
Ortayli highlighted the global significance of Selimiye Mosque, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2011, and argued that such a project should not be handled solely by local committees. Drawing a comparison with football, he stated, “Just as we do not rely on national referees but call for international referees, we should also apply the same process to our national monuments under threat.”
He urged that restoration decisions should involve international experts, bringing together specialists from dozens of countries to ensure accuracy and impartiality.
Selimiye Mosque, constructed between 1568 and 1575 by the decree of Sultan Selim II, is widely regarded as the crowning achievement of Mimar Sinan, one of the greatest architects in world history.
The mosque dominates the skyline of Edirne, the Ottoman Empire’s former capital before Istanbul, with its 85-meter-high minarets and an awe-inspiring dome spanning over 31 meters in diameter. Resting on eight massive columns, the dome is an engineering marvel of its age, admired for both its scale and symmetry.
Inside, visitors are captivated by fine marble craftsmanship, calligraphy, and the brilliance of Iznik tiles decorated with more than a hundred tulip motifs. The mosque’s design allowed for an interior both spacious and luminous, despite the architectural challenges of the 16th century.
Selimiye is not only a place of worship but also the centerpiece of a larger “kulliye,” or social complex, that played a key role in Ottoman urban life.
This included religious schools, a library, and even a bazaar, which provided economic support to the institution. Such complexes served as public spaces where education, commerce, and religious life intersected.
Professor Ortayli warned that neglect and poor oversight could harm this heritage beyond repair. He reminded the public that the works of Mimar Sinan are not possessions of a single group or nation but treasures recognized and valued worldwide.
He urged greater involvement and accountability in the preservation process, recalling that when Warsaw was rebuilt after the Second World War, residents followed the restoration daily through public referendums. “Why do we remain indifferent?” he asked, underlining the responsibility to safeguard one of the finest achievements of Ottoman and Islamic civilization.
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