The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

The Blue Mosque stands out on the Istanbul skyline and is one of the most famous Turkish and Islamic monuments. It was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I beginning in 1609 and finished in 1616. It is known as the "Blue Mosque" because of the commissioned blue Iznik tiles on the interior high domes and walls. There are over 20,000 blue tiles in 70 different styles, and the Sultan would not allow the tile makers to take any more orders until his was fulfilled. To show supremacy of Islam over Byzantine Christianity, the mosque was built opposite Hagia Sophia, the site of the Byzantine royal palace. There are now separate entrances for those going to pray and for tourists. Semidomes surround the main dome, which is 77 ft in diameter and 140 ft high, supported by 4 columns, each 16 ft in diameter. Legend has it that the sultan asked for a minaret capped with gold (altin) but the architect thought he had asked for six (alti) minarets. The sultan was extremely pleased as no mosque apart from the great mosque in Mecca had six minarets. The Blue Mosque is one of many monuments in the total area known as Sultanahmet Square or Park which also includes the Hagia Sophia, Sultan's Tomb, gardens, which were once used as an area for horse and cart races,a bazar area that was once horse stables, and numerous restaurants, carpet stores, jewelry stores, leather goods, to name a few.




The Blue Mosque, showing all 6 minarets. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy, rainy day.



One of the six minarets.


The courtyard of the Mosque. Note the Arabic writing, but do not know what it says. The Ablutions Fountain is in the foreground and is the center of the courtyard. It is no longer used for ritual ablutions.



These taps along one of the courtyard walls are now used by the men attending the mosque. Women wash in a different area, as well as pray in a different area. Washing the face, arms, neck, feet, mouth and nose is seen as an integral part of the act of prayer.


These kittens and their mother must have gotten tired of waiting in the long lines to go inside!!