Abstract
The first aim of this paper is to describe the emergence of courtyards in Ottoman sultanic mosques in the fifteenth century and discuss the background of this pivotal transition. The reception of courtyards in Ottoman mosques dates back to A.H. 841(1437), Üç Şerefeli Cami in Edirne. The fact that Eyüp Sultan Camii in Istanbul was the second sultanic mosque with a courtyard indicates the royal symbolism of courtyard at a mosque, since the one in Eyüp functioned as the stage of sword girding (kılıç kuşanma) ceremonial of newly enthroned sultans. Secondly, in order to affirm that only sultans could construct mosques with courtyards, a few exceptional non-sultanic mosques with courtyards are examined. These pseudo-courtyards, were merely extensions which was a clever solution for non-sultanic benefactors. Finally, it is analysed how Sinan prepared a formula for courtyards in mosques for his non-sultanic patrons in the sixteenth century. He adopted an existing “mosque and madrasa” style for these patrons, but carefully alluded to the difference between the mosque section and the madrasa. However, it was also Sinan who abandoned this meticulous design and started building mosques with courtyards for non-sultanic patrons in a sultanic manner in 1580s. The demise of courtyards as a symbol of the omnipotent sultan coincided with the political upheaval of the dynasty. Since then, Queen Mothers and other court officials began to participate in decision making of the colossal empire, as well as enjoying a freedom to donate mosques in a style once only adopted at sultanic mosques.
