Blue Mosque, Istanbul

The Blue Mosque, also known as Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish, stands as an enduring masterpiece of Ottoman architecture in the heart of Istanbul, Turkey. Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I and completed in 1616, this grand mosque is renowned for its striking blue tile work that adorns the interior walls, giving it the name by which it is affectionately known worldwide.

The mosque's design is the zenith of two centuries of Ottoman mosque development. It incorporates Byzantine Christian elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered one of the last great mosques of the classical period. The Blue Mosque is distinguished by its six minarets, an unusual number that caused controversy upon its construction, as it equaled the number of minarets at the sacred Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.

Visitors are captivated by the mosque's cascade of domes and semi-domes, each contributing to the skyline of Istanbul. With its courtyard, it is one of the largest mosque complexes in the city. Inside, the Blue Mosque boasts an impressive 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles in more than fifty different tulip designs, and 200 stained glass windows that collectively create a play of light which is amplified by the 260 windows that pierce its walls. At night, the mosque is bathed in lights, magnifying its beauty against the Istanbul sky.

The mosque still functions as a place of worship, but it also remains a popular tourist attraction. Visitors are welcome to step inside its vast prayer hall and absorb the tranquil and spiritually charged atmosphere, but are advised to plan their visit outside of the five daily prayer times and to observe the dress code appropriate for a place of worship.