Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

06/03/2024

The Blue Mosque (Turkish: Sultanahmet Camii) is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Istanbul, located in the historic Sultanahmet district. Because of its location, the mosque is also often referred to as the Sultanahmet Mosque. It stands on the central square directly opposite Hagia Sophia, making the two monuments a symbolic pair of the city’s skyline.

历史与建筑

The mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I and constructed between 1609 and 1616, at the height of the Ottoman Empire. Its story contains a curious detail:

According to tradition, the Sultan intended a mosque with four minarets, but the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa misunderstood and built six.
This detail made the Blue Mosque equal in grandeur to the Great Mosque of Mecca (Al-Haram), the holiest site in Islam. To resolve the controversy, a seventh minaret was added in Mecca, leaving Istanbul’s mosque unique with its six towers.

The mosque was built on the grounds of the former Byzantine palaces of Constantinople, near the Sea of Marmara. At full capacity, it can accommodate around 10,000 worshippers.

Interior and Name

The mosque is called the Blue Mosque thanks to its interior decoration:

More than 20,000 hand-painted Iznik tiles in shades of blue and white cover the walls and domes.
Stained glass windows and spacious arches create a bright, harmonious atmosphere.
The main prayer hall is illuminated by 260 windows and adorned with large chandeliers.

Visiting the Blue Mosque

The mosque remains an active place of worship, and visitors are welcome to enter free of charge. However, there are a few important rules:

Shoes must be removed before entry.
Modest dress is required: women should cover their heads, men should avoid shorts.
Access is restricted during prayer times.

主要看点

Daytime visits allow you to admire the detailed mosaics and spacious hall.
Nighttime views are equally impressive, as the mosque is beautifully illuminated and dominates the skyline of Sultanahmet.
The mosque is surrounded by a large courtyard and gardens, offering excellent photo opportunities with Hagia Sophia in the background.

实用信息

Location: Sultanahmet Square, opposite Hagia Sophia.
开放时间： Daily, except during prayer times.
Entrance fee: 免费。

The Blue Mosque is not only a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture but also one of the most photographed and visited sites in Istanbul, combining religious significance with breathtaking beauty.