Selimiye Mosque

The Selimiye Mosque was built as the St. Sophie Cathedral in the Lusignans period (13th century) in French gothic style fashionable at the time. It was a joint project of Queen Alix de Champagne and of Archbishop Thiryx. After its consecration, it was used for the coronation ceremonies of the de Lusignan kings. The Ottoman conquerors in 16th century transformed it into a mosque, adding three minarets to it and an offering table. Fortunately the 14th century statues and reliefs of saints and angels on its doors and panels have survived, even if the mosque is used daily for Moslem rituals - a strange feeling and unusual mixture, if you are used to french or english cathedrals.