How does the dome of the Selimiye Mosque compare with the dome of Hagia Sophia?

The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, considered the masterpiece of the architect Sinan, features a central dome that is comparable in size to the dome of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, with both measuring approximately 31 meters (105 feet) in diameter.123

While the dimensions are similar, the structural execution differs significantly:

• Support System: The dome of the Hagia Sophia is supported on pendentives and two semidomes. In contrast, Sinan designed the Selimiye Mosque’s dome to rest on eight massive piers arranged in an octagon.241
• Interior Effect: By utilizing eight piers rather than the four larger piers typically used in earlier designs, Sinan achieved a greater sense of openness and weightlessness. This effect is further enhanced in the Selimiye Mosque by the light filtering through hundreds of small windows, whereas the Hagia Sophia’s dome is pierced by windows at its base to create the impression that the canopy floats on air.12

Ultimately, the Selimiye Mosque represents the culmination of Sinan's centralized-domed plans, reflecting his adaptation of Byzantine architectural influences to meet the needs of Islamic worship.41