blue mosque, Istanbul

Favorite thing: The mosque is open for public visitors although the mosque is divided for prayers and tourists. The mosque is 53 meters long and 51 meters high. Cupola diameter is 33 meters. The mosque has more than 200 stained-glass windows.

Favorite thing: Sultan Ahmet Mosque (known as Blue Mosque as well) is situated in the center of the city, opposite Aya Sofya. The mosque was built in 1609-1616 by Sultan Ahmet I. I read in books that he became Sultan in 19 years and built the mosque that to eulogize God.

Favorite thing: Take a quiet walk inside the blue mosque and be sure to sit down on the carpeted floor. I think the interior is best appreciated from a humble, low position, the height at which one would be praying. Look upwards, trying to ignore the bustle of tourists and admire the beauty of the place.

Favorite thing: I never grew tired of just staring at the Blue Mosque. Something about the architecture -- its perfectly balanced symmetry, grand scale, touches of color--slows down ones steps and brings the internal rhythm to a calm state. Depsite its large scale, the building manages to convey a peaceful state of mind.

Favorite thing: The Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's symbols. The name was given to the mosque because of the blue tiles and stained glass windows, shown here.

Favorite thing: I think this is the best place to explore a mosque since there are so many of them here, thus "The City of Minarets". As you have heard, one must remove their shoes prior to entry. Also, you cannot go in during the times of prayer. There are 5 times daily where this will happen. It starts early in the morning and the last prayer is in the evening. There are several times throughout the day where you can look at a mosque.

About picture taking: I certainly enjoy photography, however it would be best to not take photos inside a mosque. i did not want to disturb others and felt like it would be rude to get a picture. The Blue Mosque would probably require a flash to get a good photo inside, and that would disturb others. my recommendation would be to get a guidebook or a postcard for your memory of the interior. Mosques are elaborate buildings, and they are everywhere. Inside them, one can see the minbar where the imam gives the sermon and near to this should be the mihrab, a notched structure which points to Mecca. These are often works of art in their own right.

Fondest memory: My favorite part of Istanbul is the architecture. You have places to see that are a millenium and a half old. The history of Byzantium/Constantinople/Istanbul is incredible. In school, it was just another name in a long line of names to memorize. Now, the place has meaning. Being at a geographical crossroads in the world, many of the things you can see there will remind you of this city's fascinating past.

Favorite thing: Sultan Ahmet I Camii (Blue Mosque)

The most famous, if not necessarily the most beautiful, mosque in the old city is the Blue Mosque, facing Aya Sofya from across Sultanahmet Square . It is a purposefully imposing structure, its interior walls clad in exquisite Iznik tiles, built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet Aga. A student of the great architect Sinan, Aga built the mosque both as a means of showing the world that he had outstripped his mater – and the architects of Aya Sofya – and as a tribute to the superiority of Islam. It still maintains that symbolism for many Muslims. The mosque, with 260 windows, associated religious school, hospital, caravansaray and soup kitchen (the kulliye or “complete social centre” in the Islamic sense) is impressive for size alone. Its six minarets nearly caused a major rift, as this was as many as the great mosque in Mecca ; the Sultan had to donate an extra minaret to Mecca to quell the row.

Fondest memory: If Turkey is your chosen destination then Sakura Tourism & Travel is the perfect choice to arrange your complete vacation, from the moment you arrive until your departure. We specialise in creating and arranging personalised itineraries to suit each guest's individual requirements. Additionally if you wish to travel as an organised group, we will quote and prepare all arrangements.

Favorite thing: In summerevenings, at nine o'clock, there is a lightshow by the Blue mosque. The story about the construction of the mosque, by sultan Ahmet I and the architect Mehmet Aga, is heard while different parts of the mosque is in light in different colours. The language spoken is different different evenings.
There is no admission.