Blue Mosque was once one of the masterpieces of art and architecture in post-Islamic era. Report inappropriate content . When it was constructed in 1465, the Blue Mosque was among the most glorious buildings of its era, a masterpiece of Iranian decorative tile work. Keep on moving it higher up the list! The Blue Mosque looks impressive and thats not just because its located in an elevated position overlooking the Bosphorus. On the right of Mihrab there is a marble Minbar, the pulpit where the Imam goes up and gives his sermon. Also, on Fridays it's closed in the morning until the end of Friday Prayers (approximately until 14:30). Although the mosque is associated with blue due to its decoration, its original name is Sultan Ahmed Mosque. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI made waves by visiting the Blue Mosque only the second papal visit in history to a Muslim place of worship. As its name suggests, the Blue mosque used to hold extensive blue tilework but, sadly, the turquoise effect has been lost today. Because the Sultan died just a year after the mosque was completed, the problem couldnt escalate further. However, Muslims may arrive at the mosque outside of prayer times, so visitors are asked to be respectful and mindful of this. The museums in Istanbul will operate 7 days a week, except Topkapi Palace. I want to thank you for all your photos and writes about Turkey. The early 17th century was a turbulent time in the Ottoman Empire. Today, the mosque is still used for Muslim prayers and is also an important tourist attraction in the city. I really enjoyed visiting both mosques and wanted to make sure I did them justice in the story. The diameter of the oval square is close to 100 meters, so it is not too big to look at. However, since the Blue Mosque is still a working mosque, it is closed to visitations of tourists during prayer time. A beautifully written and structured post Mr Turtle! The Blue Mosque is open for prayers from the morning prayer to the night prayer. The Hagia Sophia used to be the main mosque in the city until the Blue Mosque was completed. Regardless, it is a masterful mosque which can be appreciated from the inside and the outside. The Blue Mosque is the largest in Malaysia. The unusual T-shape floor plan, the faade with two minarets and other architectural features indicate the influence of Ottoman architecture. Istanbul is a city that everyone should visit at least once. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists because of its bluish interior decoration, is the most important mosque of Istanbul standing next to the Byzantine Hippodrome in the old city center. It is one of the oldest extant structures in central Yerevan and the most significant structure from the city's Iranian period. These exquisite blue ceramic tiles are one of the mosque's highlights. I think thats one of the things I love so much about Istanbul. However, the sheer beauty and elegance of this mosque makes it a very popular tourist attraction. It survived one of the historys worst-ever earthquakes in 1727. Its architect was Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, who was also a poet and inlayer and a student of the greatest architect, Sinan. Also, the mosque was looted by Ottomans in 1514 and they took eight carpets to Istanbul. It was built by the Ottoman sultan Ahmed I between 1609 - 1616 facing Hagia Sophia, in order to compete with it.Its architect was Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, a poet and inlayer . Times for these prayer sessions change throughout the year, based on the sunrise and sunset times. Begun in 1606, the Blue Mosque is actually called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) after the ruler who commissioned it, Sultan Ahmet I. I currently teach English as a Second Language in Minnesota, but taught in Turkey in 2003-2004. Gazaar (arasta bazaar) The mosque is composed of a large prayer hall unified under a single dome and an open courtyard to the northwest. Your site should be required reading for anyone whos thinking of visiting the country. It is one of the main attractions of Tabriz. With its hierarchy of increasingly large domes, this vast complex helped define the citys skyline and, with its six minarets, it caused an immediate stir not least because the only other mosque with this number at the time was the Kaaba in Mecca. Most of Turkish citizens didnt visit that you have visited, and I am sure government publications not affected as yours. The Blue Mosque is considered to be his masterpiece work. One of these grand structures is the Blue Mosque in Tabriz, a masterpiece from centuries ago which is covered beautifully with blue tiles. But it was two hundred years later that the most dramatic wave was felt. The Sultan Ahmed, the Blue Mosque, was built between 1609 and 1616 A.D. during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I. the design and envision was . Its hard to miss the two domes with 12 minarets between them. Relics from the church described as a stone from the tomb of Jesus, the Virgin Marys milk, the shroud of Jesus and the bones of saints were stolen and sent to the west. Its located just southwest of the most famous structure in Istanbul, 2. Is that a huge chandelier hanging above, or candles? I see similarities but cant put my finger on them. On a scale of 1 to 10 (or 1 to 100), how would you rate the overall beauty of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and also, if you can, of the Taj Mahal in India? It is one of the main attractions of Tabriz. When entering the Blue Mosque you immediately understand its name: more than 20,000 blue tiles adorn the dome and the upper part of the mosque. It was originally built in 360 AD and for more than a thousand years was a Christian church. While the exterior of the dome is impressive enough, the interior is breathtaking. Women need to wear a headscarf to enter youll be loaned one if you dont have your own. Instead, he used money from the empires treasury to emphasize his power. During the construction, the six minarets of the Blue Mosque started some controversy because it was the Kaaba, the holiest mosque of Mecca, having six minarets, and the Blue . Turkey is so stuffed with history.. were going to have to visit soon! . Oh, thanks Leyla. I visited today and the post by Enigma is not correct. Islam in Armenia Today Armenia is bordered by three Muslim countries (Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey), yet the country's Muslim population remains minuscule. This elevated position was once occupied by the old Grand Palace of the Byzantine emperors and the mosque was built on its foundations. This remarkable structure was completed just 7 years later in 1616 but the Sultan wasnt able to enjoy his building because he died of typhus just 1 year later in 1617. What a beautiful and magical place! The striking feature of the mosque, though not much of it has remained, is its intricate tilework and abundant calligraphies. Its also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo. Today, Hagia Sophia is a museum. Even though it is a functioning mosque used for worship, visitors can enter through a separate foreign entrance to explore the interior. The Stolen Kiss by Jean-Honor Fragonard Top 8 Facts, 12 Interesting Facts about Main Square in Krakw, About Art Facts - Art Timeline - Architecture Timeline - Contact - Terms - Privacy Policy, 1. It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. The two buildings look across the crowded square at each other. Then not yet twenty years of age, Ahmet I was determined to build a mosque to rival the Hagia Sofia. Blue Mosque in Istanbul is a historical mosque dating back to 1600s. , Sultanahmet is fascinating and a fantastic place .. And quality photos .. Oldies but goldies. See Related: Best Hikes in the World I hope you got the answer to the question!! Booking, reviews and advices on hotels, resorts, flights, vacation rentals, travel packages, and lots more. Don't go. It is still used as a real mosque today hosting hundreds of believers every day. Women must cover their heads As a step on the way of a secular country, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum by the order of Atatrk and reopened in 1935. Muslims are called to prayer from these balconies five times a day by the Muezzin. One note, though- the building that exists now was finished in 537. The photos pretty much take themselves somewhere like this. UNESCO World Heritage Sites Ive visited here. The Blue Mosque is in Sultanahmet in the centre of Istanbul walking distance from the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. Its an enormous structure with a length of 73 meters (240 feet) and a width of 65 meters (213 feet). Its decorated with about 20,000 handmade tile ceramics that feature over 60 tulip patterns. Youll love it when you get there. The ruins were left untouched for several years but, finally, it underwent reconstruction in 1939 which lasted for more than 30 years. Why is the Blue Mosque so famous? The reason it is called the Blue Mosque or Kabud Mosque is the blue tiles used in the structure. I recommend you should use World Nomads for your trip. Note: some sections of the mosque are closed for restorations. The Blue Mosque today The Blue Mosque remains an extremely busy place of worship and admission is controlled in order to allow worshippers their chance to visit - as a result it's closed during the five daily prayer times. On the contrary to the popular belief, it was donated by Constantinus II not by Constantine the Great. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. What is the Great Mosque of Cordoba used for today? Image Credit: Boris Stroujko / Shutterstock. The mosque itself is being built over 4,200 square metres. I dont think this is the first time there was conflict between religions and Im sure it wont be the last. There is a fountain square like this in front of the mosque. Mosque-Cathedral of Crdoba, Spanish Mezquita-Catedral de Crdoba, also called Great Mosque of Crdoba, Islamic mosque in Crdoba, Spain, which was converted into a Christian cathedral in the 13th century. The enormous structure was completed in 1616 long after Hagia Sophia fell into Islamic hands. Although technically called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, most people just refer to it as the Blue Mosque because of the colour of its interior tiles. Some parts of this decoration are still visible on the ceiling. The Blue Mosque, which is nicknamed so because of the dominating blue color on the entrance and the tiles, covers over 70,000 square feet of prime land.The Blue Mosque has an inner courtyard, meeting halls and a theological school (madrasa). Today the Blue Mosque is a popular tourist attraction of Istanbul. The interior furnishings of the Blue Mosque are typical of those of the other imperial mosques in Istanbul. This square was originally known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople and is sometimes still referred to as the Hippodrome. Thats because it used to be a huge stadium for chariot races, similar to the Circus Maximus in Rome. Thank again for presenting beautiful side of Turkey. Click here for high resolution photo gallery of the Blue Mosque. However, it collapsed in a later quake in 1773, and therefore, today only a few pillars, parts of the outer wall and the main gate, and sections of the vaulted ceiling and a dome remain. 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