Blue Mosque Istanbul

The cascading domes and six slender minarets of the Sultanahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque) dominate the skyline of Istanbul.

The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I as a rival to Hagia Sophia and designed by architect Mehmet Aga. Construction on the mosque began in 1609 and took seven years. Sultan Ahmet died only a year after the completion of his masterpiece, at the age of 27. He is buried just outside the mosque with his wife and three sons.

One of the most notable features of the Blue Mosque is its highly visible six minarets. This is very unique, as most mosques have four, two or just one minaret. According to one account, the Sultan directed his architect to make gold (altin) minarets, which was misunderstood as six (alti) minarets.
The six minarets caused quite a scandal, as the Haram Mosque in Mecca (the holiest in the world) also had six minarets. In the end, the problem was solved by adding a seventh minaret to the Mosque in Mecca.

Another striking feature of the exterior is the cascade of domes that seem to spill down from the great central dome.

Blue Mosque Interior

  None of the exterior is blue, the name ‘Blue Mosque’ comes from the blue tiles inside.

The main, west entrance is beautifully decorated but to preserve the mosque’s sanctity, non-worshippers are required to use the north entrance, off the Hippodrome.
Tourists must remove their shoes at the entrance and modest dress is required for both men and women, women must cover their heads.   Hanging from the gate at the north entrance are symbolic chains that encourage everyone, even the sultan on horseback, to bow his or her head upon entering.

The interior’s high ceiling is lined with about 20,000 blue tiles that give the mosque its popular name.

On summer evenings there is a historical narrative and a light show at the Blue Mosque.

Some Facts
Names: Blue Mosque; Sultanahmet Camii; Sultanahmet Mosque 
Type of site:  Mosque
Dates: 1609-1616 
Architecture: Ottoman
Architect: Mehmet Aga
Location: Next to the Hagia Sophia in central Istanbul, Turkey 
Open:  9am-6pm, except during daily prayer times (about a half-hour, five times daily) and midday on Fridays