What features made the Selimiye Mosque a major example of Ottoman architecture?

The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey, is considered the masterwork of the renowned Ottoman architect Sinan and a pinnacle of Ottoman architecture. Several key features distinguish it as a major architectural achievement:

• Centralized Design: The mosque represents the culmination of Sinan’s centralized-domed plans. The massive central dome rests on eight large piers, creating a vast, unified sanctuary space that effectively meets the needs of Islamic communal prayer.12
• Structural Innovation: The use of eight columns placed close to the walls to support the main dome was a significant innovation at the time. This design allows for a clear, expansive interior, while the exterior is defined by a succession of smaller domes and half-domes that lead the eye toward the central apex.123
• Visual Harmony: The structure is framed by four tall, slender minarets at its corners, which provide a striking contrast to the mass of the domes and enhance the building's dominance over the city skyline.12
• Integrated Complex: The mosque functions as part of a larger külliye (social complex), which includes a school, a library, and a theological college, demonstrating the Ottoman focus on creating a cohesive architectural whole.13