The greatest Muslim architect. Sinan Pasha's many buildings, mosques and monuments were some of the most famous landmarks of the Turkish Empire - Suleymaniye mosque in Istanbul and the Selimye mosque in Edirne. Sinan Pasha distinguished himself in the military service as janissary. Following the 1521-1522 campaigns of the Turks against Belgrade he became the chief firework operator. During the war against Iran in 1534 he devised an ingenious ferry operation for the successful transporting of troops. During the Turkish operation of the Danube Valley, he constructed bridges, which gained him fame and led him to become a full-time architect. Istanbul enjoyed a cultural renaissance, which was chiefly characterised by the superb architecture, notably that of the court architect Sinan Pasha. The Ottoman mosques that appeared all over the empire shared a distinctive style - they were spacious, filled with light, had low domes and high minarets. During the period from 1530 until 1578 Sinan created about 340 public structures from Budapest to Makkah. His most famous works were the Istanbul's Sulemaniye Masjid, Masjid Selimye in Edrine, Roxelana and the Princes. Slim, pencil like balconied minarets gave the 16th century Istanbul skyline its magnificent silhouettes, which is evident even today. The reign of Sulaiman the Magnificent achieved its cultural distinction because of this Ottoman genius. Sinan was responsible for 81 mosques, 55 Madrasas, 19 Tombs, 3 hospitals, 8 bridges, 33 palaces, 18 Carvan series and many other monuments.