Also known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque), this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey.
The Blue Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616, by the architect Mehmet Ağa, instructed by Sultan Ahmed I. It was designed as an imperial show of strength to complement the imposing Hagia Sophia Mosque, which faces it across Sultanahmet Square. Unlike the Hagia Sophia, however, it is supported by four "elephant foot" pillars and the central dome (23.5m in diameter and 43m high) is flanked by four semi-domes, making it nearly a square in shape. It is dubbed the Blue Mosque because of over 20,000 handmade ceramic Iznik tiles that decorate the interior, featuring many different tulips, rose, carnation, and lily designs, well lit by 260 windows.
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Aside from its staggering size and exquisite beauty, one of the most distinctive elements of this Istanbul mosque is that it has six minarets, as opposed to the usual two or four of most of the city’s mosques. In the history of the Blue Mosque, legend has it that this is because of a misunderstanding – when the Sultan decreed there should be altın minaret (gold minarets), the architect heard altı minaret (six minarets) – an easy mistake to make! This caused some controversy, as the only other mosque with six minarets at that time was the Prophet’s mosque in Mecca – a problem the sultan overcame by ordering a seventh to be added in Mecca. - in: https://istanbultourstudio.com
If you're planning to go to Istanbul and want to visit the Blue Mosque,
there are a few useful things you'd better know before visiting it.
* Pray happens five times a day with the first call to prayer at
sunrise and the last one at nightfall.The mosque closes for 90 minutes
at each pray time.Avoid visiting a mosque at pray time (Especially
Midday praying on Friday) or within a half hour after the ezan is
chanted from the Mosque minarets.
* Before step in to Mosque, take off your shoes and put in plastic
bags provided at the entrance (free of charge). This is required of all
persons as part of Muslim tradition when entering a mosque. There is
also no charge to enter the Blue Mosque.
* If you are women wear a head covering when entering to Blue Mosque.
Head coverings are available at the Blue Mosque entrance for free.
Place the fabric cover on top of your head with equal portions hanging
on both sides. Take one side and wrap it around your neck, tossing it
behind your back with covering your shoulders. Don't cover your face,
the covering is meant to hide your hair only.
* When you are inside the mosque, remain quiet and don't use flash
photography. Since this is a place of worship, avoid staring or taking
picture of those who are praying. Visit the mosque respectfully and
quietly. At the Mosque exit, you can put used plastic bags in designated
bin bags and return head covers to duty staff. - in: http://www.bluemosque.co/
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