What is Tezkiretü’l-Bünyân?
Tezkiretü’l-Bünyân (The Book of Buildings) is the most significant biographical source in which Mimar Sinan, the Chief Architect of the Ottoman Empire, narrates his life and works in his own words. Penned by Sinan’s close friend, the poet and illustrator Sâî Mustafa Çelebi, this work is not merely an architectural inventory but a unique historical document reflecting the 16th-century Ottoman world.
Significance and Content of the Work
The book covers Sinan’s journey from his childhood and years of military service in the Janissary corps to his campaigns with Suleiman the Magnificent and his eventual rise to the position of Chief Architect. The sections detailing the construction of the Selimiye Mosque’s dome and his comparisons with the Hagia Sophia are particularly critical for the history of architecture.
List of Works in Tezkiretü’l-Bünyân (Original Classification)
At the end of the work, there is a categorized list of structures built or restored by Mimar Sinan. The original classification and counts recorded by Sâî Mustafa Çelebi are as follows:
| Type of Structure | Count |
| Cevâmi‘ (Large Mosques) | 84 |
| Mescid (Small Mosques) | 52 |
| Medaris (Madrasas / Schools) | 57 |
| Dârü’l-kurrâ (Quran Schools) | 7 |
| İmaret (Soup Kitchens) | 17 |
| Dârü’ş-şifâ (Hospitals) | 3 |
| Waterways and Aqueducts | 7 |
| Bridges | 8 |
| Caravanserais (Inns) | 20 |
| Palaces | 33 |
| Magazines (Storehouses/Vaults) | 6 |
| Hamams (Public Baths) | 48 |
| TOTAL | 342 |
Note: These numbers may show slight variations in different manuscripts or other sources like Tezkiretü’l-Ebniye; however, this is the most widely accepted classification.
The Literary Style of the Work
Tezkiretü’l-Bünyân is not just a “list”; it is also a work of literature adorned with seci (rhymed prose). While maintaining a tone of humility, Sinan highlights his success with these famous words:
“The Shehzade Mosque in Istanbul was my work of apprenticeship. I completed my journey as a journeyman with the Süleymaniye Mosque. Finally, I revealed my masterpiece with the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne.”
References:
Sâî Mustafa Çelebi, Tezkiretü’l-Bünyân ve Tezkiretü’l-Ebniye (Haz. Hayati Develi – Samih Rifat), Koç Kültür Sanat Tanıtım, İstanbul, 2002.
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, “Tezkiretü’l-Bünyân” Maddesi, Müellif: Zeki Sönmez (Erişim: 2024).
Saatçi, Suphi, Mimar Sinan ve Tezkiretü’l-Bünyân, MTV Yayınları, İstanbul, 1989.
Mülayim, Selçuk, Sinan: Yarattığı Dünyalar, Yapı Kredi Yayınları, İstanbul, 2011.
ÇEKÜL Vakfı, Sinan’a Saygı Projesi Eser Envanteri