Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is the most important mosque in Istanbul. Its name in Turkish is Sultanahmed Camii, Mosque of the Sultán Ahmed, since it was constructed by Sultán Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616. It was inaugurated in the year 1617 during the mandate of Mustafa I.

Architecture

Although to the naked eye seems to have dimensions similar to Ayasofya, seeing the actual measurements we see that it is approximately half. The central dome is 23 meters in diameter and 43 meters high.

The Blue Mosque has six minarets which, at the time of its construction, provoked much controversy, since Mecca also had six. Later and to appease the faithful, in Mecca a seventh minaret was built to make a difference.
Inside

As you enter the Blue Mosque you will understand the reason for its name: there are more than 20,000 blue tiles that adorn the dome and the top of the mosque. All the tiles were taken from the city of Iznik (Nicaea).

The lighting of the mosque comes from its more than 200 stained glass windows and the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Tips

To enter the Blue Mosque, as in the rest of the mosques in the city, you must bring the appropriate clothes and barefoot before entering. Women should wear their shoulders and their hair covered. If you have nothing to cover, in the entrance you will leave everything you need to enter.

During the hours of worship the mosque is closed to tourism.