külliye

architecture

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June 30, 2026

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A külliye is a complex of buildings associated with a mosque, typically including a madrasah (Qur’anic school), a hamam (bathhouse), an imaret (soup kitchen for the poor), and tombs. These complexes were developed in Ottoman architecture, with the grandest examples built in Istanbul during the 16th century. Notable külliyes include the Şehzade and Süleymaniye külliyes, designed by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Koca Sinan. These structures are characterized by their clear plans, logical elevations, and a central dome, often with a cascade of descending domes and buttresses. The design principles were influenced by military engineering, emphasizing efficiency and a hierarchical arrangement of elements. The külliye served as a self-sufficient community hub, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Ottoman urban planning and religious architecture.12

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Islamic arts
Architecture
…complex was then called a külliye. All those buildings continued to develop the domed, central-plan structure constructed by the Seljuqs in Anatolia.
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…complex was then called a külliye. All those buildings continued to develop the domed, central-plan structure constructed by the Seljuqs in Anatolia.
Read More