Sehzade Mosque
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Early Ottoman mosque architecture began modestly with mosques comprising simple, single domed set on a cube. This embodied the elemental symbolism of the 4 corners of the universe under the infinite heavens (represented by the 'unending' circle). Appendages such as a lateral vestibule or side entrance, or a closed court with a fountain.
Yesil Cami mosque in Iznik built in 1378 is a typical example of Ottoman mosques built in the 14th century. These early mosques started the theme of a single, centralised dominant dome of ever increasing size, which was the main line of evolution in Ottoman mosque architecture.
The central dome resting on the 4 piers required a transitional zone of support for the dome. These supports began as triangulations, which later became squinches and were finally replaced by Byzantine-type pendentives like the Aghia Sophia has.
The first Ottoman minarets were of uncertain location due to functional logic of placing them in the most advantageous position from which to make the call to prayer. An example of this is the Orhaniye mosque at Beliecik that had it's minaret perched on a crag above the mosque. Minarets were later incorperated into the design of the mosque from an aesthetic point of view...