Tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent

Suleiman the Magnificent (1494-1566) is remembered for the power and geographical expansion of the Ottoman Empire during his reign. His tomb stands... more

by Stephen Stookey

Title

Tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent

Artist

Stephen Stookey

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Suleiman the Magnificent (1494-1566) is remembered for the power and geographical expansion of the Ottoman Empire during his reign. His tomb stands next to the mosque bearing his name in Istanbul. Suleiman died two months shy of his 72nd birthday while on campaign to capture the Hapsburg capital of Vienna. Suleiman and 100,000 Ottoman soldiers bogged down in the Siege of Szigetvar, when Croatian nobleman Miklos Zrinyi and his forces refused to capitulate to Suleiman's superior forces. Following a lengthy siege that resulted in heavy Ottoman causalities, Zrinyi and his greatly out-maned troops made a suicidal cavalry charge to protect the castle on the morning of 8 September. All in Zrinyi's command perished. The valiant resistance of Zrinyi and his men inflicted over 20,000 casualties on the Ottoman forces, halting their march to Vienna. Suleiman died in his tent the night before the castle fell. Tradition holds that Suleiman's heart was buried in a golden casket under his tent and the body returned to Istanbul for burial. The burial site of Suleiman's heart remains a mystery. Is a shrine yet to be found, or is the story of Suleiman's heart merely romantic myth?

FAA Featured Photo:
The Road To Self Promotion
3/30/2015

FAA Featured Image:
T100 Showcase Feature Art
4/21/2015

FAA Featured Photo:
The World We See
3/30/2015

FAA Featured Photo:
Share Share Share
3/31/2015

FAA Featured Photo:
Premium FAA Artists
4/1/2015

FAA Featured Photo:
Appreciating Works From All Mediums
4/11/2015

FAA Featured Image:
Canon Full Frame Cameras
4/24/2015

FAA Featured Image:
Landscape and Landmark Photography
4/24/2015

FAA Featured Image:
Images of Europe
4/24/2015

Uploaded

February 10th, 2015