blue mosque, Istanbul

Favorite thing: Sultanahmet Mosque>
This mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I during 1609-1616
in the square carrying his name in Ýstanbul. The architect is Sedefhar Mehmet Aða. It is
the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. The mosque is 64 x 72 m in dimensions. The
central dome is 43 m in height and is 33.4 m in diameter. 260 windows surround the mosque.
Due to its beautiful blue, green and white tilings it has been named the 'Blue
Mosque' by Europeans. The inscriptions were made by Seyyid Kasým Gubari.

Favorite thing: Blue Mosque (Mosque of Sultan Ahmed I), Sultanahmet Sq. This 17th-century mosque is the only one in Turkey to have six minarets (most have two or four); the mosque also features over 20,000 original Iznik tiles and, on summer evenings, a historical narration and light show.

Favorite thing: Go to the Blue Mosque, it's one of the most breath taking buildings I have ever seen! Some might not find the inside as impressive but for one that has the ABC syndrome, it's a nice change from the ornamental cathedrals of most European cities!

Fondest memory: Feeling so clean after having a Turkish bath! Highly recommended, although be prepared to get your kit off for it.

Favorite thing: Blue Mosque.
During the Byzantine Era there was a hippodrome near the Blue Mosque with a capacity of 10,000 people. In 1606, Sultan Ahmet wanted to build a mosque bigger, more majestic and more beautiful than the Saint Sophia Church, and he did indeed build a mosque; you will be the one to judge which one is more impressive.

The Blue mosque is called 'Sultan Ahmet Camii' in Turkish, which means the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet. The mosque was built in the classic Ottoman style and is located just in front of Saint Sophias' Church the Sultan Ahmet district of Istanbul. Mosques were generally built to be used as a public service for the citizens.

There are some buildings near the Blue mosque which include a theology school, a Turkish bath, a kitchen that used to serve soup for the poor, and shops. The shops would provide revenue for maintaining the mosque.

The Blue mosque, as the name implies, was decorated with blue tiles and also glass-work with the same color. There are no images or statues inside the mosque since Islam forbids praying to images of any kind.

Before entering the mosque you should take your shoes off. You should not wear miniskirts, shorts, or very low neckline dresss. The staff at the mosque will give you a wrap-round shawl cover yourself if they find your clothing is not appropriate for the mosque

Favorite thing: In some books you may find other name of the mosque, Blue Mosque. It is related with color of the interior that consists of more than 20 000 hand-made ceramic blue tiles.

Favorite thing:

This is one of the most recognise landmarks in Istanbul. It was sounded by Sultan Ahmet and it covers a large area. A beautiful courtyard and impresive gardens sorround the building.

Favorite thing: Visit the Blue Mosques (see picture at top of page). Here are Irwin and yours truly at the Blue Mosque.