Selimiye Camii, the imperial mosque built by Selim II (1575), is considered to be the jewel of Ottoman religious art. Sinan, who was also the architect of the splendid Soliman Mosque in Istanbul, has achieved a true masterpiece here. The exterior is characterised by its harmonious silhouette, a collection of arches, half-domes and domes offset by the fluted minarets. However, it is the interior of the mosque which best expresses Sinan’s genius, with its light, delicate arches and use of two colours. The flow of natural light in the building, used to full effect, brings out the beauty of the calligraphy, mosaics, ablutions fountain and the marble minbar ornamented with openwork.