Editing Selim II (section)

=== Architecture === 
[[File:Bremen, Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek, ms. Or. 9, fol. 36r.jpg|thumb|right|220px|''Equestrian portrait of Sultan Selim II'' by [[Lambert de Vos]], 1574]]
Suleiman had left a lasting legacy in Damascus by commissioning the construction of the impressive Takiyya al-Sulaimaniyya mosque along the Barada River, situated outside the city walls. Designed in 1554 by the renowned architect Sinan, it was commonly referred to as the Takiyya, acknowledging the Sufi hostel (tekke or zawiyya) within its courtyard chambers. Selim expanded upon his father's mosque by adding the Madrasa Salimiyya in 1566–67. Subsequently, this complex became the starting point for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.{{sfn | A’goston | Masters | 2010 | pp=136, 169–170}} Selim favoured Edirne over Istanbul, demonstrating his affection for the former Ottoman capital, especially relishing visits and hunting sessions in the city.{{sfn | A’goston | Masters | 2010 | p=514}} And so he undertook the construction of a significant mosque here. The mosque which is known as Selimiye Mosque, is the largest of all Ottoman mosques, was erected between 1569 and 1575 under the supervision of Sultan Selim's chief architect, Mimar Sinan.{{sfn | A’goston | Masters | 2010 | p=196}} He also undertook a significant renovation of the [[Hagia Sophia Mosque]] from 1572 to 1574 under the guidance of Sinan. This restoration included repairing the buttresses, substituting the wooden minaret with a brick one, and introducing two new minarets. Furthermore, adjacent structures were demolished to create the characteristic courtyard of the imperial mosque.{{sfn | A’goston | Masters | 2010 | pp=243–244}}