Istanbul’s Blue Wonder – the Sultan Ahmed Camii

Let’s be a bit fanciful here. Sultan Ahmed I, who had become king at the early age of 14, was in distress. The wars with Persia had gone badly, finances were not as they should be and he had to look at Hagia Sofia, the most revered mosque at the time, only it wasn’t his. The year was 1609 and he decided to placate Allah and have a monument for his own glory by commissioning  the construction of a new mosque which should surpass the Hagia Sofia in splendour and size and please God as well, not to mention immortalize his own name.

He turned to the most famous architect of the time, Sedefkar Mehmet Ala and work on the Sultan Ahmed mosque, better known as the ‘Blue Mosque’ got under way.

A bit of history

True to his ambition, the mosque was constructed on the site where the Great Palace of Byzantium had been. It wasn’t big enough, so more surrounding buildings had to be purchased and torn down to make room, as well as part of the hippodrome.

Four  minarets weren’t enough either, Sultan Ahmed had to have six. As far as the interior decoration was concerned, 20.000 hand made tiles all from the renowned pottery in Iznik were ordered and installed. They show about 50 different tulip designs as well as fruit, animals and verses from the Koran. The dominating colour was blue, which gave the mosque its name.

Interior of Blue Mosque and prayer area

Added were 200 stained glass windows to let in natural light, enhanced today by an enormous chandelier.

It took six years to complete the enterprise and, in 1617, Sultan Ahmed could finally pray in his own, glorious mosque. However, he couldn’t enjoy the privilege for long as 1617 was also the year of his death.

Like many mosques at the time, it was not only a place for prayer  but also contained a caravansary , a  hospital and a soup kitchen for the poor.

How to get there

The Blue Mosque is of course one of the most famous landmarks of Istanbul. It’s located in Sultanahmed, just off Sultanahmed Square, right opposite the Hagia Sofia. The mosque is a place of worship and prayer, not a tourist attraction. Therefore opening times need to be observed:

Open from 5.30 am to 9pm Monday to Sunday, but

Closed during prayer times 12.30, 4.30pm, 6.14pm and on Fridays from 12 noon to 2.30pm.

Entering the Blue Mosque is quite an adventure due to the huge crowd  of visitors and faithful alike.

Follow the signs and enter passing by the symbolic fountain in the vast courtyard.

Ornamental fountain in the courtyard of Blue Mosque

Then stand in line to be admitted. Remove your shoes, plastic carrier bags are provided to put them in Ladies, cover up. Put a scarf on your head, no bare arms and legs either. The same applies to mens’ legs. No visit in shorts please. If you don’t have a scarf, blue cloth will be provided which you have to return after your visit.

The entire floor of the mosque is covered by carpets. They are gifts from believers and renewed as they wear out.

Admire the tiles, the light and the glorious architecture. You are allowed to take pictures but do not photograph people who pray, even out of the official prayer hours.

The Blue Mosque is a true wonder at night too. Outlined against the setting sun and later, illuminated by colored lights, the domes and six minarets provide an unforgettable sight no visitor to Istanbul should miss.

Photographs are authors own.