Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, known as Sultanahmet Cami in Turkish, was founded by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I and constructed by the architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga in 1609-1616. The Blue Mosque to be the most splendid of the imperial mosques in the city
Blue Mosque Istanbul
The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is one of Istanbul’s most recognizable landmarks, renowned for its stunning architecture and unique blue-tiled interior. Built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century, it is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and one of the most important historical sites in Turkey. Situated opposite Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque serves as both a place of worship and a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world.
Location and Accessibility
The Blue Mosque is centrally located in Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district, close to many of the city’s most famous attractions, including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern. The mosque’s exact address is:
Address: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
It is easily accessible via Istanbul’s public transportation system. The closest tram stop is Sultanahmet on the T1 line, which is a short walk from the mosque. This central location makes it easy to explore other nearby historical sites after your visit to the mosque.
Entrance Fees and Visiting Hours
Since the Blue Mosque is an active place of worship, entry is free for all visitors. However, donations are welcomed and encouraged to help with the mosque’s maintenance and upkeep. As a mosque, it is open to tourists outside of prayer times, with some restrictions during Islamic holidays and special events.
Visiting Hours:
Open Hours for Visitors: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Closed During Prayer Times: Non-Muslim visitors are not allowed to enter during the five daily prayers, which generally last about 30 minutes each. Friday prayers around midday are longer, so the mosque may be closed to visitors for a few hours.
To experience the mosque’s interior without interruptions, it’s best to check the daily prayer schedule and plan your visit accordingly.
Architectural Highlights
The Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s finest examples of Ottoman architecture, combining elements of traditional Islamic design with Byzantine influences. The architect, Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, a student of the famous architect Sinan, sought to rival the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, which sits just opposite the mosque.
Exterior Architecture: The mosque is particularly famous for its six minarets, which caused some controversy at the time of construction as only the Grand Mosque in Mecca traditionally had six minarets. To resolve this, Sultan Ahmed I funded the construction of a seventh minaret for the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The cascading domes and semi-domes create a harmonious and visually stunning effect, adding to the mosque’s grandeur.
Interior Design and Blue Tiles: The interior of the mosque is adorned with over 20,000 handmade Iznik tiles, mostly in shades of blue, which give the mosque its popular name. The tiles feature floral, geometric, and arabesque patterns that create an ethereal, serene atmosphere. The vast prayer hall is covered by a central dome, supported by four large pillars known as “elephant feet” due to their massive size. The natural light filtering through 260 stained glass windows highlights the beautiful tiles and the decorative calligraphy inside.
Mihrab and Minbar: The mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) is made of finely carved marble and is centrally located within the mosque’s main prayer hall. Next to it is the minbar (pulpit) from which the imam leads Friday prayers. Both are crafted with intricate detail and stand as exquisite examples of Ottoman artistry.
Calligraphy: Islamic calligraphy adorns the walls, domes, and arches throughout the mosque, with verses from the Quran beautifully inscribed by master calligraphers. These calligraphic details contribute to the spiritual and artistic ambiance of the mosque.
Etiquette and Dress Code
As the Blue Mosque is an active place of worship, visitors are expected to follow certain rules of etiquette:
Dress Code: Modest attire is required. Women should cover their heads, arms, and legs; scarves are usually available at the entrance if needed. Men should wear clothing that covers their legs. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.
Shoes: Shoes must be removed before entering the mosque. Plastic bags are usually provided for visitors to carry their shoes with them while inside.
Quiet and Respectful Behavior: As a place of worship, it’s important to keep noise to a minimum, speak softly, and respect the people who are there for prayer.
Photography: Photography is allowed, but it is recommended to avoid using flash and to be considerate of worshippers. Certain areas may be restricted, especially during prayer times.
Key Nearby Attractions
The Blue Mosque is located in a part of Istanbul that is rich in historical and cultural sites. After visiting the mosque, you can explore the following attractions, all within a short walking distance:
Hagia Sophia: Just across the square from the Blue Mosque, this former church and mosque-turned-museum is now a functioning mosque again. It features an impressive dome and beautiful mosaics.
Topkapi Palace: This sprawling palace complex was once the residence of Ottoman sultans and includes beautiful courtyards, gardens, and a treasure-filled museum.
Basilica Cistern: This ancient underground water reservoir, built during the Byzantine period, offers a unique and atmospheric experience with its dim lighting and ancient columns.
Hippodrome of Constantinople: Situated adjacent to the mosque, the Hippodrome was once a chariot racing arena and still contains historical artifacts, including the Serpent Column and the Obelisk of Theodosius.
Tips for Visiting
Best Time to Visit: To avoid crowds, visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon is recommended. Additionally, check the prayer times in advance, as the mosque is closed to tourists during prayers.
Photography Tips: The lighting inside the Blue Mosque can be dim, so adjusting your camera’s exposure settings can help capture the beauty of the interior tiles and decorations.
Avoiding Lines: Lines can get quite long, especially during peak tourist season. Arriving early in the day will help you avoid waiting times.
Blue Mosque Location
Blue Mosque, withits graceful cascade of dome and semidomes, its six slender minarets accentuating the corners of the courtyard and the building, the lovely colour of the stone set off by gilded ornaments on domes and minarets. It’s generally imposing but gracious proportions.
Like that of the other imperial mosques, the interior plan of the Blue Mosque recalls in a general way that of Hagia Sophia. Still, in this case, the difference is greater than the other mosques. It is almost a square, 51 metres long by 53 metres wide, covered by a dome, 23,5 metres in diameter and 43 metres high, resting on four pointed arches and four smooth pendentives.
The Blue Mosque has 260 windows. These were once filled with coloured glass, which would have tempered the too-crude brightness; now, they are slowly being replaced with modern imitations. The blue tiles, giving the famous name to the mosque, are Iznik tiles of the best period, and they are worth seeing. The magnificent floral designs display the traditional lily, carnation, tulip and rose motifs, cypresses, and other trees, all in exquisite colours; subtle blues and greens predominating. The mihrab and minbar of White Proconnesian marble are also original. They are the incredible works of that period.
The Ottoman mosques were practising and were foundations that provide education, healthcare, food, and accommodation to care-seeking. So, the Ottomans added school, Hospital, Library, Kitchen and Dormitory in every mosque. Those parts of the Blue Mosque are located nearby. Unfortunately, some of them have been destroyed.
