The Şehzade Mosque, or “Prince’s Mosque”, was commissioned by Sultan Suleiman I in memory of his eldest son by Hürrem, Prince Mehmet, who died of smallpox at the age of 21 in 1543. It was the first major commission by the Imperial Architect Mimar Sinan, which was completed in 1548. It is considered by architectural historians as Sinan’s first masterpiece of classical Ottoman architecture. Being the first major building by Sinan, you can still see he is developing his design techniques – like the columns being heavy, for fear of structural integrity.
Unlike the typical austere decoration of most mosques, this one is highly decorated with very elaborate patterns. For example, the two minarets have elaborate geometric sculptures in low bas-relief and occasional terracotta inlays.