For the past two months, extensive restoration work has been underway at Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, which was built in 1568 by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan when he was 90 years old and opened for worship in 1575 after a seven-year construction period. The works are expected to take 40 months. Within the scope of the restoration works, the glass and wooden windows of the mosque will be completely renewed, and the deteriorations in the hand-drawn works will be eliminated with the restoration.
Edirne Governor Ekrem Canalp stated that it would not be possible to perform Friday prayers in Selimiye Mosque within a 3.5-year period until the restoration works were completed, after announcing that Friday prayers were held for the last time until the restoration works were completed. Governor Canalp explained that a temporary prayer area will be available in the mosque, and that it will be used for both worship and visits. “This restoration will carry the Selimiye Mosque into the future for another century,” Governor Canalp said, adding that visitors to the mosque will be able to see the restoration work.
