The dome of this celebrated structure is one hundred and thirteen feet
in diameter, and is built on arches, sustained by vast pillars of
marble. The pavement and staircase are also of marble. There are two
rows of galleries supported by pillars of party-colored marble, and the
entire roof is of fine mosaic work. In this mosque is the superb tomb of
the emperor Constantine, for which the Turks have the highest
veneration.
Beside the above, two other mosques attract the particular notice of
travelers who visit the Turkish capital. That of the Valide-Sultan,
founded by the mother of Mohammed IV., is the largest, and is built
entirely of marble. Its proportions are stupendous; and it boasts the
finest symmetry. The mosque of Sultan Solyman is an exact square, with
four line towers in the angles; in the center is a noble cupola,
supported by beautiful marble pillars. Two smaller ones at the
extremities are supported in the same manner. The pavement and gallery
surrounding the mosque are of marble; and under the great cupola is a
fountain, adorned with such finely colored pillars, that they can
scarcely be deemed of natural marble. On one side is the pulpit, of
white marble; and on the other the little gallery for the grand
seignior. A fine staircase leads to it; and it is built up with gilt
lattices. At the upper end is a kind of altar, on which the name of God
is inscribed: and before it stand two candlesticks, six feet in hight,
with wax candles in proportion. The pavement is spread with fine
carpets, and the mosque illuminated by a vast number of lamps. The court
leading to it is very spacious, with galleries of marble, supported by
green columns, and covered by twenty-eight leaden cupolas on the sides,
with a fine fountain in the center.
The mosque of Sultan Selim I. at Adrianople, is another surprising
monument of Turkish architecture. It is situated in the center and most
elevated part of the city, so as to make a very noble display. The first
court has four gates, and the innermost three; both being surrounded by
cloisters, with marble pillars of the Ionic order, finely polished, and
of very lively colors: the entire pavement is of white marble, and the
roof of the cloisters is divided into several cupolas or domes,
surmounted with gilt balls. In the midst of each court are fine
fountains of white marble; and, before the grand entrance, is a portico,
with green marble pillars, provided with five gates. The body of the
mosque is one prodigious dome, adorned with lofty towers, whence the
_imaums_, or priests, call the people to prayers. The ascent to each of
these towers is very artfully contrived: there is but one door, which
leads to three different staircases, going to three different stories of
the tower, in such a manner, that three priests may ascend and descend,
by a spiral progress, without meeting each other. The walls of the
interior are inlaid with porcelain, ornamented with small flowers and
other natural objects, in very lively colors. In the center hangs a vast
lamp of gilt silver, besides which there are at least two thousand
smaller ones: the whole, when lighted, have a very splendid effect.