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Don’t miss the extraordinary story of Sinan, the imperial architect in the service of Suleiman the Magnificent. This illustrated book, featuring photographs by Ara Güler and architectural plans, pays tribute to the man who shaped the Ottoman Golden Age.
In the 16th century, while Michelangelo was leaving his mark on St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Sinan was taken from his family to become the chief architect of the Ottoman Empire. This son of an Armenian carpenter was converted and enlisted in the Janissaries. Sinan traveled throughout the empire, from Damascus to Istanbul, working on major projects for over twenty years. Appointed the imperial architect by the sultan, Sinan built over 500 structures, including some of the most famous mosques in history like the Süleymaniye and the Selimye. His work extended to palaces, schools, bridges, hospitals, and more.
This historical account is an essential testament, illustrated by Ara Güler’s photographs. It reveals Sinan’s impressive achievements and the lasting imprint he left on Ottoman architecture. Through this photography book, you’ll explore the legacy and monumental accomplishments of a man with an incredible destiny.
Order your copy now to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the architect who helped shape an entire civilization.
Ara Güler (1928–2018), nicknamed “the eye of Istanbul,” is undoubtedly the most influential Turkish photographer of his generation. In 1958, he became a photojournalist for Time Life, Paris Match, and Der Stern. His meeting with Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1961 marked a turning point in his career, and he joined the Magnum agency that same year. Photography Annual magazine named him one of the seven best photographers in the world. The recipient of numerous awards (“Master of Leica” in 1962, first prize for reporting from the Turkish Journalists’ Association in 1979, and “Photographer of the Century” in Turkey in 1999), Ara Güler has photographed iconic figures such as Churchill, Chagall, Dalí, Picasso, and Hitchcock. Through his lens, he captured everyday life in Istanbul and Turkey, leaving an indelible mark on the world of photography.
He is the author of Face of the Twentieth Century, Istanbul, and Sinan – Architect of Suleiman the Magnificent, published by Éditions du Pacifique.
Born in Udine in 1938, Augusto Romano Burelli pursued a multidisciplinary career, studying engineering at the Naval Academy in Trieste, literature and painting in Florence, and then architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, where he taught architectural composition. His approach to photography is deeply influenced by this training, combining technical rigor with artistic sensitivity.
He is the author of Sinan – Architect of Suleiman the Magnificent, published by Éditions du Pacifique.
John Freely (1926–2017) was a physicist, professor, and prolific author specializing in the history and culture of Turkey, Istanbul, and the Ottoman Empire. After studying physics in New York and Oxford, he decided in 1960 to settle in Istanbul with his family to teach at Robert College, now Boğaziçi University, where he continued to teach physics, the history of science, and astronomy until the end of his life.
The author of some forty books, John Freely made his mark on the literary world with his travel guides, historical studies, and biographies of Ottoman figures, combining academic rigor with narrative accessibility. His books, including Strolling Through Istanbul, have become essential references for lovers of the history and culture of the city and the Mediterranean region.
In addition to his role as a teacher and writer, he was committed to preserving Istanbul’s historical and cultural heritage, participating in the protection of historical sites and the conservation of the university library’s collections. He lived in Istanbul for over fifty years, until the death of his wife Dolores in 2015, before joining his daughter Maureen in England, where he passed away in 2017.
He is the author of Sinan – Architect of Suleiman the Magnificent, published by Éditions du Pacifique.
