BLUE MOSQUE

Also known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the blue mosque was built in early 17th century ( the construction started in August 1609) and it was commisionned by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. Located in the famous Sultan Ahmet district, the mosque has a total of six minarets, one main dome, and eight secondary domes. The Blue Mosque still functions as a site of worship today, however, visitors of all faiths can view its spectacular design, which mixes traditional Islamic architecture with Byzantine elements. The popular « Blue mosque » surname is due to the more than 20.000 handmade blue Iznik ceramic tiles, that decorate the interior walls of the mosque. Important tip : In order to fully appreciate the mosque’s architecture, you should approach it from the side coming from the Hippodrome instead of entering it through the park.