The historic Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, widely regarded as the masterpiece of Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and one of the most significant landmarks of Turkish-Islamic architecture, is preparing to reopen for worship following an extensive restoration project. A specially woven carpet faithful to the mosque’s original design has now been installed in the main prayer hall as the final phase of the restoration is completed.
Restoration works, launched in November 2021 by the General Directorate of Foundations, have largely concluded. The mosque is expected to welcome worshippers again with the first tarawih prayer of Ramadan, marking the reopening of one of Türkiye’s most important cultural and religious heritage sites.
The Selimiye Mosque, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, underwent meticulous restoration under the supervision of a scientific advisory committee. Each section of the mosque was carefully examined and restored to preserve its historical authenticity.
Extensive Structural and Architectural Restoration
During the restoration process, structural reinforcements were carried out on the mosque’s iconic central dome while the lead roof coverings were fully renewed. Previous cement-based interventions that had altered the original structure were removed, allowing the building’s historical materials and architectural integrity to be restored.
Glass and wooden window frames were replaced entirely, while damage and material loss in the mosque’s historic wooden shutters and doors were repaired with traditional techniques.
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Of the 264 interior plaster window panels, those that had been replaced with flat glass or plexiglass during a 1983 repair campaign were reconstructed according to the original design. This restoration utilized a stainless-steel structural system combined with traditional bottle-bottom glass to recreate the authentic appearance.
Exterior elements that had previously been covered with white cement were replaced with water-resistant special mortars and stainless-steel components designed for long-term durability. At the same time, reinforcement and maintenance work was completed on the mosque’s four towering minarets.
Decorative painting and plaster ornaments within the main prayer hall and the domes of the porticoed courtyard were also carefully restored, bringing back the rich artistic details that characterize Sinan’s architectural vision.
While most restoration work has now been completed, final interventions continue in the burial area of the complex, alongside tile cleaning and landscaping work around the mosque.
Specially Designed Carpet Inspired by Original
One of the most significant finishing touches of the project has been the installation of a specially produced carpet designed specifically for the mosque.
The new carpet was woven in the Demirci district of Manisa, an area known for its long-standing carpet weaving tradition. The design was based on the mosque’s original carpet, which is preserved at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.
Produced to cover the mosque’s approximately 3,000-square-meter usable prayer area, the carpet remains faithful to the original composition while incorporating traditional Anatolian handwoven prayer rug motifs.
The front section of the mosque features a prayer-rug layout, guiding worshippers’ rows during prayer, while the central prayer hall reproduces the original decorative scheme in a subtle tone-on-tone technique using “Edirne red,” the historic color associated with the city.
High-Density Wool Carpet Crafted for Historic Landmark
According to Mustafa Özkul, owner of Kalida Carpet, the project required an exceptionally careful approach due to the mosque’s historical and architectural significance.
Özkul noted that the carpet was produced entirely from 100 percent domestic wool and woven at a density of 729,000 knots per square meter, ensuring both durability and aesthetic precision suitable for one of Türkiye’s most iconic monuments.
The installation of the carpet represents the final stage in restoring the mosque’s interior atmosphere, reconnecting the space with the traditional textile heritage that has historically accompanied Ottoman religious architecture.
A Monument Ready to Welcome Worshippers Again
As the restoration nears completion, the reopening of Selimiye Mosque is expected to attract both worshippers and visitors eager to experience the restored masterpiece of Mimar Sinan.
The project stands as one of the most comprehensive restoration efforts carried out on a UNESCO-listed monument in Türkiye in recent years, ensuring that the architectural and cultural legacy of Selimiye Mosque will continue to inspire future generations.
