Facing Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is known around the world as the Blue Mosque, after the thousands of İznik tiles that line its interior.
History and architecture
The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 for Sultan Ahmed I by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, a student of the great Mimar Sinan. A cascade of domes rises to the central dome, and six minarets mark the corners of the mosque and its courtyard.
The İznik tiles
More than twenty thousand hand-made tiles from İznik decorate the walls, with tulips, carnations, cypresses and other floral designs in blue, turquoise and green. Light from more than two hundred windows gives the interior its soft blue tone.
Visiting
The Blue Mosque is an active place of worship and closes to visitors during prayer times, especially at Friday midday prayer. Shoes are removed at the entrance; dress modestly and women should cover their hair. The Hippodrome with its obelisks is right next door.
