Tomb of Sultan Selim II
Resting Place of the Sultan Under the Hagia Sophia Dome
The tomb of Sultan Selim II (reigned 1566–1574) is one of the finest Ottoman royal mausoleums in the Hagia Sophia complex. Designed in the age of Mimar Sinan, it reflects the elegance of classical Ottoman architecture.
Selim II, son of Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan, ruled during a period of relative peace and cultural flourishing. His tomb, completed after his death, gathered members of his family and later princes, turning the area around Hagia Sophia into a dynastic necropolis.
The mausoleum features a central dome, a ring of windows, and lavish Iznik tile decoration with blue, green, and red motifs. Inside, rows of sarcophagi are arranged under embroidered covers, each topped with a turban indicating rank.