Grandeur of the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) in Istanbul

The Blue Mosque of Istanbul: The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque, stands as the crown jewel of Istanbul's historical district. While the city boasts over 3,000 mosques, the Blue Mosque's unparalleled aesthetic appeal sets it apart. Other prominent mosques like the Suleymaniye Mosque, Rüstem Pasha Mosque, and Ortaköy Mosque each have their significance, but the Blue Mosque's historical context and proximity to the Hagia Sophia lend it unique prominence. Sultan Ahmed I, the visionary behind its construction, ensured that it stood out with its six minarets, a feature unseen in any other mosque. Adorned with over 20,000 Iznik tiles that ascend skyward, its blue-tinted tiles have led foreigners to affectionately dub it the "Blue Mosque".

Architectural Excellence of the Blue Mosque: The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, showcases a design evolution spanning two centuries. It boasts a primary dome, flanked by six minarets and complemented by eight secondary domes. Drawing inspiration from the neighboring Hagia Sophia's Christian architectural style and traditional Islamic motifs, the Blue Mosque stands as the epitome of the classical era's architectural marvels. Its architect, Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, seamlessly blended the genius of master architect Sinan, emphasizing grandeur and magnificence. Visitors are kindly reminded to maintain social distancing during their shopping endeavors amidst the ongoing pandemic.

Inside the Blue Mosque: Regarded as one of Turkey's most significant mosques, the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul is often referred to as the Blue Mosque due to its blue Nicaea tile-adorned interiors. These unique ceramics, sourced from the city of Nicaea, are complemented by over fifty diverse daisy designs that grace the mosque's lower levels and internal pillars. In total, over 20,000 traditional Anatolian-style ceramics beautify the space, bearing floral, fruity, and cypress motifs. These ceramics stand as a testament to the unmatched craftsmanship of Nicaea's finest artisans.

Calligraphic Elegance of the Blue Mosque: The mosque's upper echelons are dominated by shades of blue. Over 200 intricately designed windows, now further illuminated by chandeliers, allow natural light to permeate the interior. An interesting feature of the chandeliers is the presence of ostrich eggs, believed to repel spiders and prevent cobwebs. The walls are graced with Quranic verses, exquisitely penned by the legendary calligrapher, Sayyid Kasim Gubari. The mosque's floors are carpeted with generous donations from devotees, with the vast windows amplifying the ambiance. Notably, the central dome's 28 ornate windows, a gift from the Venetian Signoria, have been replaced over time, losing some of their original artistic essence.

The Mihrab of the Blue Mosque: At the mosque's heart lies the Mihrab, an exquisitely carved marble centerpiece with a stalactite niche and dual inscriptions. It's further accentuated by surrounding windows and ceramic tiles adorning adjacent walls. To the Mihrab's right stands a lavishly ornamented pulpit, where the imam delivers sermons during Friday prayers and sacred occasions.

Nestled in the basement of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the elevated dome features an abundance of windows, bathing the intricate tiles and craftsmanship within in a gentle luminance. However, with the absence of the era's original plaster windows, the light has lost some of its ethereal quality. The mosque's left corner houses the sultan's loge, boasting a mosaic and jade-embellished mihrab, a mother-of-pearl door, and gilded tiles set against a turquoise backdrop—unparalleled in their beauty. The mihrab's pristine cyan tiles, the simple yet refined embroidery, the gilded floral motifs, and the jade detailing collectively elevate the mosque's ornamental magnificence.

Marble Pillars of the Blue Mosque: The sultan's domes, situated in the southeast corner, comprise a platform, an entrance porch, and two annexed rooms. They grant access to the royal passageway in the mosque's upper gallery. Historically, these chambers served as the Grand Vizier's command center during the quelling of the Janissary Corps rebellion in 1826. Ten sturdy marble columns support the royal emblem. A mihrab, beautified with ancient jade roses and gold embellishments, stands prominently, accompanied by a gilded Quranic inscription.

Original calligraphy, penned by Seyyid Kasim Gubari in the 17th century, adorned the walls with names of caliphs and Quranic verses, though they've undergone multiple restorations. Once gilded and studded with jewels, many of the mosque's lamps now feature simpler designs with ostrich eggs and crystal balls, with the original ornate decorations now preserved in museums.

The Tale of the Blue Mosque's Minarets: Legend suggests that while the Hagia Sophia aimed to surpass Jerusalem's Temple of Solomon, the Ottoman sultans aspired to outdo the Hagia Sophia with a grand architectural feat. This aspiration culminated in the Blue Mosque, boasting six minarets—a design only mirrored by the "Masjid al-Haram" in Islam's history. Yet, these six minarets sparked controversy, as they were perceived as overshadowing the Kaaba's mosque. To address this, Sultan Ahmet I commissioned a seventh minaret for the Kaaba's mosque.

Another intriguing anecdote relates to the mosque's six minarets. Allegedly, Sultan Ahmet I desired gold minarets. However, the costs exceeded his budget. A potential miscommunication led the mosque's architect, Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa, to interpret the sultan's wish for 'gold' (altın) as 'six' (altı) minarets, resulting in the mosque's unique design.

When planning your visit to the Blue Mosque, it's crucial to adhere to the mosque's dress code, as it is a place of worship and reverence for its visitors. Those wearing miniskirts, shorts, outfits with exposed shoulders, or sleeveless attire will not be granted entry or will be kindly asked to cover up (cloth coverings are provided at the entrance free of charge). It's imperative for ladies to ensure their hair is covered as well, in accordance with Islamic religious rules (mosque officials can provide head coverings). The Blue Mosque offers one-piece evening dress coverings at the entrance, specifically catering to tourists.

Another fundamental aspect to remember during your visit is maintaining a tranquil atmosphere within the mosque. This rule is in place to ensure that those engaged in prayer are not disturbed by noise.

Visiting Hours for the Sultanahmet Mosque

The Blue Mosque has been undergoing restoration since 2022 and is anticipated to reopen for worship and visitors in April 2023.

When the mosque is open for worship, tourists are welcome to explore it outside of prayer times. Admission to the Blue Mosque is free of charge, and visitors have the option to contribute to the mosque's upkeep in exchange for a receipt at the entrance. During the winter season, visiting hours are from 08:30 to 17:00. Similar to other mosques, the Blue Mosque is open for worship from the morning prayer until the conclusion of the night prayer. In the summer season, visiting hours are extended from 08:30 to 18:30. Please note that on Fridays, the Blue Mosque remains closed to visitors until 14:30.