Mimar Sinan: The Architect Extraordinaire

Mimar Sinan, born in 1490, was a famous Ottoman architect who built over 370 structures in his life time. He is known for designing some of the most iconic buildings in Istanbul, such as the Suleymaniye Mosque, Selimiye Mosque and the Roxelana Hammam. But what you might not know is that he was also quite the funny guy.

Legend has it that Mimar Sinan had a particularly quirky sense of humor. He was known for leaving a small, hidden flaw in his designs as a joke. For instance, in the Roxelana Hammam, he designed the entrance to be so low that visitors had to bend down while entering.

But that wasn’t the only prank he played. Apparently, he once built a fountain with twelve spouts, but only eleven of them worked. When a disappointed client asked why one of them wasn’t functioning, Mimar Sinan replied with a mischievous grin, “It’s a fountain, not a waterworks!”

Mimar Sinan was also known for his wit and quick thinking abilities. During a visit to one of his construction sites, the Sultan noticed that the building was not level. The Sultan demanded to know why the architect had made such a mistake. To which Mimar Sinan responded, “Your Majesty, with all due respect, if you find one mistake in my design, just think about how many mistakes you’ve made in running an entire empire for so long!”

Despite his playful nature, there’s no denying that Mimar Sinan was a master of his craft. His designs not only showcased his unique style, but also spoke to the cultural and religious values of the Ottoman Empire.

In honor of his contributions to architecture and his sense of humor, Mimar Sinan’s tomb was designed to reflect his jovial nature. The tomb is said to be shaped like a giant gumball machine, with colorful balls representing the different structures he designed.

Overall, Mimar Sinan remains one of Turkey’s greatest architects, whose talents were matched only by his playful sense of humor. If you ever visit Istanbul, make sure to take a tour of his architectural masterpieces and appreciate the humor and creativity that went into his designs.