Blue Mosque, the most famous mosque in Istanbul
Istanbul is the most important city in Turkey. This city is home to religious memorials like Hagia Sophia, Süleymaniye Mosque, and Çamlica Mosque to entertaining spots like Fener and Balat, Eminönü Square, or the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara.
The Blue Mosque is a place full of spirituality, within an epic city.
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is in fact the most important place of worship in the city. On this page we will tell you its history and we will deepen its grandiose architecture. We will also give you useful tips to visit it and to make your trip to Istanbul special. Enjoy the reading!
The wonderful Blue Mosque
It is 1597, the great Ottoman Empire comes out of two ruinous wars against the Hapsburg Empire and the Persian Empire. For this reason, Sultan Ahmed I decides to reassert Ottoman power by giving the capital a new place of worship. Thus began work on the great Sultan Ahmet Camii mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque of Istanbul.
Since the proceeds of the war were lacking, the sultan found the funds for the construction of the new mosque from the public coffers. This choice caused quite a stir. But despite the discussions, the project was carried out in a space full of political significance.
In fact, it was built in a portion of the site of the Grand Palace of Constantinople next to the great mosque of Hagia Sofia. Also nearby is the Hippodrome, now Sultanhamet Square, another place full of meaning. Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, a pupil of the famous imperial architect Mi’mār Sinān, was chosen.
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The construction of this monument is incredible, in fact it is described in eight volumes. Today this testimony is kept in the National Library of the Tokapi Palace.
The sultan, however, died before the completion of the work which was completed by his successor Ahmet Mustafa I who wanted to remember him with a tomb decorated with Iznik majolica.
The Blue Mosque Today
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul became so famous that between 1953 and 1976 its image was chosen to be printed on Turkish 500 lira banknotes. It is also the most photographed monument in Istanbul, due to its sinuous curved lines and its six minarets. Today it keeps its function alive as in the past. In addition to religious institutions, it also houses many other public institutions.
In fact, there are a medresa (Koranic school), canteens and shelters for the poor, haman and shops. The rents of these spaces are used for the maintenance of the mosque and offer a unique opportunity for local shopping.
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The architecture of the Blue Mosque
To access the Blue Mosque, we recommend that you take the avenue that starts from Sultanhamet Square and ends in front of the entrance stairways. This is the best way to appreciate the borderline proportions of this rectangular vaulted mosque.
Entering the courtyard we are struck by the sequence of domes and the six large minarets. The central interior space is dedicated to the sultan’s loggia while the muezzin’s pulpit and the Mecca niche take place on the back. But the real treasure is the internal decorations, let’s go to discover in more detail the architecture and interiors of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
The main feature of the Blue Mosque is that it boasts six slender minarets. This is a record, since the only mosque to have more than that in Istanbul is that of Ka’ba in Mecca. The legend tells of a linguistic misunderstanding between the construction manager and Ahmed I, who instead wanted them gilded to match the magnificence of Suleiman.
In fact, in Turkish the word used to indicate gold is “altin” which was confused with the word “alti” which means six. In addition to the minarets, the great dome is striking, measuring 23m in diameter and 43m in height. Upstairs the loggia intended for the sultan can be reached on horseback, a peculiarity that makes it unique.
The interior of the Blue Mosque
If we had to choose just one adjective to describe the interior of the Sultan Ahmet Camii mosque, this would be wonderful! In fact, the real treasure is found here and its nickname “blue mosque” also comes from here. Just look around once you enter to understand it, admiring the 21,043 turquoise ceramic tiles from Isnik.
This huge mosaic is interrupted only by the delicate decorative arabesques of the domes and the 260 polychrome stained glass windows produced in Venice. In addition to the windows, the room is illuminated by hanging lamps, originally also decorated in gold and gems.
But the surprises do not end there, in fact if we look down we can get lost in the geometric patterns of the many carpets donated by the faithful. Finally, on the walls we can see the large calligraphic tables by Ametli Kasim Gubarim dating back to the seventeenth century, which report the names of the great Caliphs and verses from the Koran.
The Mihrab and the Minbar of the Blue Mosque
At the bottom of the main hall we can visit the mihrab, or the niche that looks towards Mecca containing a fragment of the Black Stone of the Kaaba. It is a true sculptural masterpiece with inscriptions from the Koran that characterize the marble with which the niche is made.
Not far away we also find the minbar, or the pulpit from which the Imam celebrates religious services by reading the Koran. This structure is also designed in sculpted white marble and its position means that the faithful can maintain eye contact even when the mosque is crowded with around 10,000 worshipers.
Blue Mosque – Touring Guidelines
The duration of the visit to the Blue Mosque is approximately 1 hour.
It is open every day from 8:30 to 11:30, from 13 to 14:30 and from 15:30 to 16:45, tourist access is suspended during prayer hours.
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Entrance Fee
Visit is free, however you will be asked to leave a free offer if you want.
Remember to bring a bottle of water and a hat, especially during the summer months. Also make sure you are dressed appropriately to access the interior spaces. So men must wear long trousers, while women must have a shawl to cover the head and shoulders. Finally, all visitors must take off their shoes.
Istanbul Tourist Pass for 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 calendar days with access to 40+ attractions and services
· How to Reach There?
The Blue Mosque of Istanbul is located within the Fatih district, in the Mahalle district of Sultanahmet.
The best way to get here is by metro, Sultanahmet stop, or by Sultanahmet tram, line T1.
Blue Mosque – Touring Guidelines
The duration of the visit to the Blue Mosque is approximately 1 hour.
It is open every day from 8:30 to 11:30, from 13 to 14:30 and from 15:30 to 16:45, tourist access is suspended during prayer hours.
-
Entrance Fee
Visit is free, however you will be asked to leave a free offer if you want.
Remember to bring a bottle of water and a hat, especially during the summer months. Also make sure you are dressed appropriately to access the interior spaces. So men must wear long trousers, while women must have a shawl to cover the head and shoulders. Finally, all visitors must take off their shoes.
· How to Reach There?
The Blue Mosque of Istanbul is located within the Fatih district, in the Mahalle district of Sultanahmet.
The best way to get here is by metro, Sultanahmet stop, or by Sultanahmet tram, line T1.
Final thoughts
We recommend that you visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul in the evening, when the warm light of the sunset penetrates the polychrome windows and creates a surreal yet evocative atmosphere. But before being entranced by the interiors, stop in the inner courtyard to appreciate the elegant lines of the main facade with the domes topped by minarets. Finally, you can end the evening with a dinner to discover traditional Turkish cuisine.
Istanbul Tourist Pass for 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 calendar days with access to 40+ attractions and services
