The Blue Mosque
Standing next to the famed Hagia Sophia but nonetheless shining luminously on its own is the infamous Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It’s more commonly known as The Blue Mosque. Blue tiles wrap around its wall interiors thus the name. In the evenings, it is flooded in blue lights attracting plenty of visitors.
The Blue Mosque was constructed in 1609, a physical symbol of the Ottoman Empire’s capture of Constantinople. Sultan Ahmet I ordered the placement of six minarets that earned controversy back then since it rivaled the six minarets of Mecca. The Sultan resolved this issue by sending his men to build another minaret in Mecca.
The Blue Mosque remains a distinctive sight together with its six minarets against Istanbul’s skyline. Its architecture is a unique mix of Christian Byzantine and Islamic Ottoman, making it a fascinating structure to visit. The Blue Mosque is an enthralling sight both outside and inside with its handmade ceramic tiles and fascinating intricate designs. Built between 1609-1616, this structure has prevailed over the centuries and is still consistently used as a mosque today. Domes and minarets surround the exterior and more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles, chandeliers and stained glass windows fills its interiors. Blue Mosque is often referred as the crown jewel of Istanbul. Daily prayers are held five times for the worshippers. On Fridays, it opens at 2:30 in the afternoon. As other mosques, The Blue Mosque contains the tomb of its founder. It also houses a madrasa and a hospice. Let the vibrant Blue Mosque flood your senses. It’s often said that visiting the Sultanahmet Camii (as Turkish locals call it) is something that imprints on your mind for its magnificent beauty! TIPS
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Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Free
08:300 am until one hour before dusk each day, excluding 90 minutes each prayer time, and two hours during Friday noon prayers.
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