Sultan Ahmet Mosque

While it contains some Byzantine influences from its neighbor, the Hagia Sophia, it also features traditional Islamic architecture and is considered the last great mosque of the classical period. The mosque's architect, Mimar Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa, succeeded in reflecting his ideas of "grandeur, grandeur and magnificence in size".

Throughout history, Hagia Sophia wanted to surpass the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, while Suleymaniye wanted to surpass Hagia Sophia. At the end of this competition, it was decided that the Sultanahmet Mosque would only surpass Hagia Sophia in size, so as not to be too disrespectful to its ancestors, and the mosque was built with 6 minarets, an unprecedented example in the Ottoman Empire.

Sultan Ahmet Mosque was built by Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa, one of the students of Mimar Sinan, in the 17th century by Sultan Ahmet I. The mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the dense blue İznik tiles on its walls.

Sultan Ahmet Mosque was built by the architect Sedefkar Mehmed Ağa on the historical peninsula in Istanbul by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I between 1609-1616.

I bear witness that there is no God but Allah. I also bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the servant and Prophet of Allah.'

The tomb built by the architect Mehmet Ağa in Sultanahmet Square, which contains the tombs of Sultan Osman, Sultan Murat, Kösem Valide Sultan and the children of these sultans, along with Sultan Ahmet.

Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa, to whom he gave the task of construction, thought that making the minarets out of gold would be quite costly. Assuming that he had heard wrong, he prepared a construction plan. He started to build the minarets not out of gold but in groups of 6.

Some art historians have said that the interior of Hagia Sophia is superior to Suleymaniye in terms of its cohesion and spaciousness. Indeed, while the dome height of Hagia Sophia is 56 meters from the ground, that of Suleymaniye is 48 meters. There is a difference of 8 meters in favor of Hagia Sophia.

He is the son of Sultan Mehmed III and Handan Sultan. He is the first Ottoman sultan to ascend to the throne without going to the Sanjak.

The construction of the mosque, built on the second of the seven hills, began in 1609. The first digging of the foundation of the mosque was done by Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque, which embodies the art and aesthetic understanding of the 17th century, was completed in 7 years, 5 months and 6 days.

The Sultanahmet Mosque is not just a mosque, it is a complex that includes many structures. It includes a bazaar, a bathhouse, a soup kitchen, a hospital, educational areas, a caravanserai and the tomb of Sultan Ahmed. The entrance to the mosque is on the side of the hippodrome, which was left by the Romans who owned Istanbul before the Ottomans.

Legends aside, the mosque, which fascinated everyone with its magnificence, attracted both admiration and reaction because at that time the only temple with six minarets was the Kaaba and it was said that this situation was disrespectful to the holy place.

Sultanahmet Mosque is a temple open to worship.

The design of the Sultanahmet Mosque is the culmination of a 200-year synthesis of Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church architecture. While it contains some Byzantine influences from its neighbor, the Hagia Sophia, the mosque is also heavily influenced by traditional Islamic architecture and is considered the last great mosque of the classical period.

The reason why the Sultanahmet Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque is the magnificent blue tiles in its interior decoration. One of the most beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture in the 17th century, the interior of this mosque is decorated with thousands of handmade blue and white tiles.

You can visit the Sultanahmet Mosque 24/7. Important: Although it is always open to visitors, it is closed to visitors during the five daily prayer hours, especially during Friday prayers.

In general, a mosque is a religious place that is considered sacred by Muslims and where Muslims go to pray and pray to Allah.

The mosque, the construction of which started on March 29, 2013 in Çamlıca, Üsküdar and was opened on May 3, 2019, is the largest mosque in the history of the republic. The mosque, which has a capacity of 63 thousand people and 6 minarets, has an area of ​​57 thousand 500 square meters.

Entrance to the Sultanahmet Mosque is free.

The exterior of the mosque is made of white marble and offers an elegant appearance that fascinates visitors. Its grand dome is a prominent element in the Istanbul skyline and adds peace and grandeur to the mosque. The minarets rise around the mosque, reflecting the elegance of Islamic art.

The interior has a fascinating aesthetic. A large courtyard offers visitors a serene atmosphere. The interior of the mosque is filled with ornate domes, fascinating tiles and fine embroidery. Crafted columns, patterned carpets and lighting elements complete the mystical atmosphere of the mosque.

The Sultanahmet Mosque is a symbol that reflects the richness of history and culture of Istanbul. This historical place represents the rich heritage of the Ottoman Empire and the aesthetics of Islam. Every year, thousands of local and foreign tourists visit this fascinating mosque and witness the history and beauties of Istanbul.

The Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul. It impresses its visitors with its historical atmosphere, fascinating architecture and peaceful environment. This monumental structure stands out as one of the unique beauties of Istanbul and fascinates everyone who visits it.

Together with the mosque complex, it is one of the largest building complexes in Istanbul. This complex consists of a mosque, madrasahs, sultan's mansion, arasta, shops, bath, fountain, fountains, tomb, hospital, primary school, soup kitchen and rental rooms. Some of these structures do not exist today. More than 20 thousand Iznik tiles were used in the mosque. For this reason, it is known as the 'Blue Mosque' by Europeans.

The Sultanahmet Mosque is also part of the area added to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name Istanbul Historic Areas in 1985.

The most important element inside the mosque is the mihrab made of finely carved and carved marble. It has its own mihrab decorated with emeralds, roses and gilding and 100 Qur'ans are carved in gilding. The names of the caliphs and parts of the Qur'an are written on large tablets on the walls. The Sultanahmet Mosque, which is open for worship, has a high spiritual value for Muslims and is a must-see for tourists visiting Istanbul.

It is one of the best examples of Ottoman architecture and works with its incredible architecture and detailed decorations with a ceiling height of 43 meters.

It is also called the Blue Mosque because of the blue color used in both its domes and the 20 thousand tiles inside. Tiles are waterproof sheets formed by fusing glass and ceramic together with fire.

Since the visiting area and the worship area are separate, you can go whenever it is open. It opens at 8:30 in the morning, closes at 18:30 in the summer and 17:00 in the evening.

I recommend going early because there is a line. Entry is free. You can visit in half an hour. Your attire should also be appropriate for the visit. There are shoe racks on the right and left, you can easily leave your shoes there.