The Sultanahmet Mosque, located on the historic peninsula of Istanbul, is famously known worldwide as the “Blue Mosque.” It was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. The architect of the mosque was Sedefkâr Mehmet Ağa, a student of the great architect Mimar Sinan. The Sultanahmet Mosque serves not only as one of the symbols of Istanbul but also as an active place of worship.
Architectural Features
The Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the finest examples of classical Ottoman architecture, incorporating influences from the Baroque period. The structure is notable for its main dome, semi-domes, and six minarets. The main dome is approximately 23 meters in diameter and 43 meters high, forming the central focal point of the mosque. The mosque is famous for its interior adorned with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles. These tiles, predominantly in shades of blue, red, and green, feature floral motifs. The prevalence of blue tiles within the interior gives the mosque its nickname, the “Blue Mosque.”
Cultural and Religious Significance
The Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the most important tourist and religious sites in Istanbul. It attracts thousands of visitors, both local and international, every year. The mosque remains an active place of worship; Muslims perform their daily prayers five times a day and the Friday prayers here. During the month of Ramadan, the mosque becomes particularly crowded with worshippers attending for iftar and the Tarawih prayers.
Restoration Works
The Sultanahmet Mosque has undergone several significant restoration works since its construction. These restorations generally aim to preserve the mosque’s original architectural features. The most recent restoration began in 2017 and the mosque was reopened to the public in 2020. During this restoration process, both the interior and exterior, including the minarets and dome, were repaired.
Getting to Sultanahmet Mosque
Sultanahmet Mosque is located in Istanbul, Turkey, in the area known as the historic peninsula. It is situated in Sultanahmet Square, one of Istanbul’s most significant tourist spots.
Visitor Reviews
The mosque is stunning- the decoration is so detailed. There is a visitor centre outside of the mosque where they run free sessions with a presentation about Islam and the Blue mosque- I would highly recommend doing this before the visit as you then know what to look at when inside. This is a free place to visit so there are big queue and when you get inside it is quite chaotic as it is a big open space filled with people.
My FAVORITE Mosque! The architecture is breathtaking! Everyone is extremely nice, and they even have volunteers who will answer any questions you have about the religion or Mosque. Also, being there during Ramadan and hearing the “Call to Prayer” was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I just can’t stress enough to please respect the rules they have in place. This is a beautiful site, but it is also a place of worship for so many individuals. So enjoy the site, but remember to respect it.
The Blue Mosque is a majestic work of architecture. It is decorated with stunning floral patterntiles, mostly in blue color. The mosque is fully functioning, thus you might be asked to leave during the prayer time, but no one will force you to. This place is worth visiting. The mosque was built in 1617, but it is so we’ll preserved. You can see, that local people take exquisitely good care of it. The Blue Mosque is free to visit, no need to line up, just make sure to cover your shoulders, wear long pants and a scarf on your head if you are a woman. In case you came unprepared, there’s a booth on the right side from the main entrance, nearby the bathroom, where you can get some clothes to cover yourself. I definitely recommend to visit this historical building to feel the atmosphere of Istanbul.
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