The most photogenic building in Istanbul is Sultan Ahmed Grand Mosque or Blue Mosque, whose tomb is located on the north side and directly opposite the park of the same name. The very curved exterior of the mosque has a cascade of domes and six narrow minarets. The interior of the mosque is decorated with more than ten thousand Iznik blue tiles and the presence of 260 windows has given it a stunning beauty. Many tourists travel to this city every year to see the extraordinary architecture of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul. In the following, we have introduced the different parts of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
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History of Sultan Ahmed Mosque
The Blue Mosque of Istanbul was built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect “Mohammed Agha” by the order of Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque was designed as a display of Ottoman Empire power in competition with the magnificent Hagia Sophia, which is located across from it in Sultanahmet Square. Unlike Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque is surrounded by four “elephant feet” columns and a central dome (diameter 23.5 meters and height 43 meters), which are almost square in shape. This mosque is known as the Blue Mosque due to the presence of more than 20,000 handmade Iznik blue ceramic tiles with different designs of tulips, roses, carnations and lilies that decorate the interior.
But aside from the extraordinary architecture of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, an interesting story is hidden behind its magnificent walls. Let’s define it this way: imagine yourself as a young sultan whose empire spans parts of the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa. . Your ancestors were among the greatest sultans in the world. You are only 13 years old and you are sitting on the throne in Istanbul as the capital of Türkiye. The country you rule is the legacy of great rulers like Sultan Suleiman and Mehmet Fatih, and yet you are neither a famous warrior nor a powerful ruler. How do you immortalize your mark on the fabric of a city that has a glorious past? So you order one of the best mosques in the heart of the imperial city of Türkiye! This is how Sultan Ahmed Mosque was built and became one of the most magnificent buildings in Istanbul. This mosque is considered one of the last classic Ottoman structures and has been welcomed by tourists on Istanbul tours.
Architecture of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul
The Blue Mosque is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture that displays a harmonious combination of Islamic and Byzantine architecture. This mosque was completed in 1616 and represents the creativity of the famous architect Mehmet “Ağa”. Six stunning minarets, cascading domes, and intricate Aznik blue tiles are some of the prominent features of the mosque. It is also said that its grandeur and elegance are inspired by the eternal masterpiece of Hagia Sophia.
The central dome of Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Mosque, surrounded by smaller domes and semi-domes, creates a spacious yet balanced interior. The exterior, decorated with cascading domes and slender minarets, presents an inspiring effect against the Istanbul skyline. The blue tiles, from which the name of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is derived, have intricate designs of flowers and calligraphy. The arches of the courtyard, the ablution fountains and the vast prayer hall have doubled the beauty of the mosque and turned it into an eternal masterpiece in Islamic architecture.
The process of building the Blue Mosque in Istanbul
The construction of the Blue Mosque showed the architectural power of the Ottoman Empire. The foundation of the mosque was laid with huge stone blocks that created a solid foundation for the elevation of the building. The walls are built using a combination of brick and stone, with wooden beams providing additional support.
The central dome, a masterpiece of Ottoman engineering, was constructed using a complex system of interlocking wooden ribs coated with lead to ensure the building was weatherproof. The interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque was decorated with more than 20,000 exquisite Aznik tiles and hand-painted with intricate flower designs. Sourced from the famous pottery workshops of Iznik, these tiles are carefully installed to create a beautiful picture of blue, green and turquoise colors.
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The exterior of the Blue Mosque
The exterior of the Blue Mosque is a living testimony of the brilliance of Ottoman architecture, which also has influences from Byzantine architecture. This part is decorated with beautiful Iznik tiles, which is famous for its complex blue patterns, floral motifs and calligraphy, and has been named the Blue Mosque. The grand entrance of the mosque has a large courtyard with beautiful arches that leads to the prayer hall. The narrow minarets, with their balconies and conical caps, are another beauty of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul.
The combination of these elements has created an architectural symphony that showcases the artistry of Mehmet Agha and his creativity for the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. The Blue Mosque is not only a place of worship, but an enduring masterpiece in the heart of Istanbul.
The interior of the Blue Mosque
The interior of the Blue Mosque is decorated with a large prayer hall and a stunning collection of design elements
It displays a masterpiece of architectural harmony. The central dome, supported by half-domes and smaller domes, creates a sense of grandeur and vastness.
The Mihrab of the Blue Mosque and the niche that shows the direction of Mecca are the focal point of the building with elaborate design and intricate details. The pulpit of the mosque displays fine arts with its geometric motifs. The large stained glass windows of the interior of the mosque allow natural light to penetrate inside the building and the intricate details of the architecture can be seen more beautifully.
The overall design of the interior of Sultan Ahed Mosque in Istanbul reflects the exact balance of form and function and creates a calm and soulful atmosphere.
The story of the six minarets of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul
The six minarets of the Blue Mosque are one of the rare architectural features of Ottoman mosques and tell many stories. According to one of the most famous traditions, Sultan Ahmed asked for golden minarets for the mosque, but the architects did not understand what he meant and built 6 minarets for the mosque. Maybe this story was spread among the people to emphasize the uniqueness of the mosque.
The construction of these six minarets sparked controversy, because the other important mosque of that time, the Kaaba in Mecca, had only six minarets. This problem was solved when Sultan Ahmed I added another minaret to the Kaaba.
Domes in the Blue Mosque
The main dome of Blue Mosque has a diameter of 23.5 meters and a height of 43 meters. Eight small domes around the main dome support the main dome to balance the weight. The four main pillars of the mosque bear the weight of this dome. Each of these columns has a very large structure and the accuracy in the placement of these huge stone structures shows the success of the Blue Mosque architecture.
The symmetrical arrangement of the side domes creates a harmonious space inside the mosque. These domes, along with the light that is evenly distributed inside the mosque, provide visitors with a soothing environment. This order shows the aesthetic architecture of the mosque in the interior and exterior.
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View of Sultan Ahmed from the terrace of Hamdi restaurant
After seeing the architectural beauty of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, you should not miss a great lunch or dinner at Hamdi Restaurant’s terrace. This is a great place to enjoy the unique architecture of the Blue Mosque. In Hamdi, you can enjoy delicious food with a magnificent view of the Blue Mosque. Especially at sunset, under the shade of the mosque, the moments you spend on Deraliye Terrace offer an unforgettable experience of traveling to Istanbul.
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Interior photo of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul
In the following, we see attractive pictures from inside the Blue Mosque of Istanbul:
Amazing facts about the Blue Mosque
Apart from the massive building with stunning beauty, one of the most striking elements of Istanbul’s Blue Mosque is that it has six minarets, as opposed to the usual two or four mosques in the city. According to historical traditions, the construction of 6 minarets was just a misunderstanding and due to the mistakes of the architects, this unique feature has emerged. This caused controversy, as the only other mosque with six minarets at the time was Masjid al-Nabi in Mecca – a problem that the sultan resolved by ordering the addition of a seventh minaret in Mecca.
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The difference between Sultan Ahmed Mosque and Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia was first built as a Greek Orthodox Christian church during the reign of Emperor Constantius of the Byzantine Empire in 360 AD. Throughout its history, this structure has gone through fires and several reconstructions. A third and stronger reconstruction of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 under the supervision of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, still stands. Various domes, mosaics, marble, bricks, etc. have been used in the construction of the church. The emperors had pieces of building materials that were like their signature and were sent from all over the Byzantine Empire to build important buildings, such as the Sultan Mosque. In 1453, the Ottomans took control of the region and changed the name of the capital from Constantinople to Istanbul. The Ottomans rebuilt Hagia Sophia and turned it into a mosque.
Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are located next to each other and are the main elements of the Istanbul skyline. The Blue Mosque is modeled after Hagia Sophia, and both are considered Islamic worship centers and tourist destinations in Turkey. Historical evidence shows that the Ottoman Blue Mosque was built in competition with the once Christian Greek Orthodox Hagia Sophia.
Guide to visiting the Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Although the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s tourist attractions, it is still an active mosque, and for this reason, its doors are closed to tourists during prayers. Pay attention to this when visiting the mosque and it is also recommended to dress respectfully while visiting, although you will be given a shawl upon entry if necessary.
Working hours of the Blue Mosque
Istanbul Blue Mosque is open all day. We recommend that you visit the mosque between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm to be able to use the explanations of the Toraz guides.
The entrances of the Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque has 3 entrances: central entrance, south side entrance and east side entrance. According to estimates, this mosque has about 4.5 million visitors annually.
Visiting time of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul
The Blue Mosque is open all day. You can visit the mosque anytime between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm except during prayer times when the mosque is closed to non-prayer.
The mosque is closed five times a day for prayers:
- Morning call to prayer: around 6:20 am
- Sunrise: approximately 6:37 AM
- noon (noon): approximately 1:29 p.m
- Evening (mid-afternoon): around 16:15
- Maghrib (sunset): around 18:35
- Isha (Night): Around 8:06 PM
How to go to the Blue Mosque
The easiest way to reach the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul is to use the tram towards the Sultanahmet area. From there, it is only a two-minute walk to the mosque. Note, during busy times, you will often face a queue to enter, so on holidays it is better to choose the early morning hours to visit. From the Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia, you only have two minutes to walk.
Address of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul
The Blue Mosque is located in Istanbul, Türkiye, specifically in the Sultanahmet area. This place is located on the site of the former Byzantine Hippodrome, one of the historical areas in the center of the city.
Tourist attractions near the Blue Mosque of Istanbul
Located in the historic district, Istanbul Blue Mosque is close to a number of other attractions including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Archaeological Museum, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar. You can also visit Sultan Ahmed’s tomb, which is located just outside the compound wall, northwest of the mosque. Visiting the mausoleum, like the mosque itself, is free and the building is decorated with 17th century Iznik tiles.
final word
The Blue Mosque is located on top of one of the highest hills in Istanbul and can be seen from far away. The hill on which the mosque is built has always been popular among tourists due to the presence of Byzantine palaces and structures. The Blue Mosque is located between the Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome, both of which are important historical structures. This mosque attracts many tourists every year. If you are planning to visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, you can contact our colleagues in the foreign tours department to book an Istanbul tour.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the Blue Mosque?
The mastermind behind the architecture of the Blue Mosque was Muhammad Agha, a famous Ottoman architect who was known for his mastery of light, space and complex designs. It was his vision and expertise that made the mosque a world masterpiece.
Why is the architecture of the Blue Mosque so famous?
The Blue Mosque is famous for its unique features such as the central dome with a diameter of 23.5 meters and a height of 43 meters, six minarets and more than 20,000 hand-painted Iznik tiles with floral designs and calligraphy that decorate the interior and exterior.
When was the Blue Mosque built?
The construction of the Blue Mosque began in 1609 and was completed in 1617 during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I.
What are the features of the interior of the Blue Mosque?
The interior of the Blue Mosque is decorated with exquisite hand-painted Iznik tiles and floral and calligraphy designs. The large interior space with design elements and the harmonious combination of light and shadow has created a sense of peace and spiritual excellence.
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