The Süleymaniye Mosque was designed by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan and built for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557. The second-largest mosque in Istanbul, it forms part of a complex which includes the traditional public services provided by a mosque, from a hammam, Qur’an schools, a primary school, a hospital, a medical college, and a public kitchen to serve the poor. Some of these structures are still standing, and a handful of them are still used for their original function. Visitors can admire the beautiful building when it isn’t being used for prayer, and are welcome to join prayer and services if they would like to.