12 Facts About Selim II

Selim II was a son of Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Hurrem Sultan.

Selim II's mother was Hurrem Sultan, an Orthodox priest's daughter, who was the current Sultan's concubine at the time.

Selim II had four brothers, Sehzade Mehmed, Sehzade Bayezid, Sehzade Abdullah and Sehzade Cihangir, and a sister Mihrimah Sultan.

Selim II organised his followers like the Ottoman administration, redistributing taxes and gaining support.

In early 1562, Selim II had been appointed as the governor of Kutahya, and following Bayezid's death, his last years as a prince were spent peacefully in his court in Kutahya.

In 1569, Selim II made an unsuccessful attempt to conquer Astrakhan.

Selim II favoured Edirne over Istanbul, demonstrating his affection for the former Ottoman capital, especially relishing visits and hunting sessions in the city.

Selim II undertook a significant renovation of the Hagia Sophia Mosque from 1572 to 1574 under the guidance of Sinan.

Selim II was buried in his tomb in Hagia Sophia Mosque, Istanbul.

Selim II is reputed in the sources of the period to have been a generous monarch, fond of pleasure and entertainment and of drink councils, and who enjoyed the presence of scholars, poets and musicians around him.

However, it is stated that he did not appear much in public, and that his father often went to Friday prayer and out among the public; Selim II neglected this and spent his time in the palace.

Selim II had a Haseki and legal wife, and at least seven others concubines.