The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is one of the historical mosques in Turkey. This essay will be a full guide about where is the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Blue Mosque Istanbul interior, the Blue Mosque Istanbul history, Blue Mosque Istanbul hours, what to wear when visiting the Blue Mosque Istanbul, and Blue Mosque Istanbul entrance fee.
In general, Turkey is a popular tourist destination, as it includes a variety of outstanding and sightseeing attractions to visit.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is one of these stunning attractions that is known as the Blue Mosque Istanbul because of the blue tiles used to decorate Blue Mosque Istanbul interior walls.
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Where is The Blue Mosque in Istanbul?
The Blue Mosque is located on the European side of Istanbul, it’s a five-minute walk to Hagia Sophia, right across the square.
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are located inside the old city, about a 10-minute walk from the waterfront.
The old city walls stretch four miles from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn.
You can reach the famous Blue Mosque Istanbul easily by any transportation mean and have a great tour with your family and loved ones.
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The Blue Mosque Istanbul History
It was built between 1609 and 1617 by Sultan Ahmed I, the idea was to build a monument that would not only rival but exceed the magnificent Hagia Sophia.
The Blue Mosque Istanbul history goes back to Sultan Ahmed I era who built the blue mosque of Istanbul when he was only nineteen years old.
He was so eager to finish and speed up the process to be a representative of the Blue Mosque Istanbul history, but unfortunately, he died one year after its completion at the age of twenty-seven.
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Things You Need To Consider Before Visiting The Blue Mosque Istanbul
The Blue Mosque of Istanbul has a vital location, so the Blue Mosque Istanbul hours are open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
While during prayer times, the Blue Mosque Istanbul is closed to visitors for about an hour and a half.
Blue Mosque Istanbul hours may also vary during Islamic holidays and festivals, so you should ask before going.
Additionally, if you are thinking what to wear when visiting the Blue Mosque Istanbul, note that all visitors are required to wear appropriate and modest clothing and cover their heads before entering the Blue mosque in Istanbul.
The staff there will be pleased to provide loaned scarves and head coverings at the entrance if you do not have what to wear when visiting the Blue Mosque Istanbul.
And regarding the Blue Mosque Istanbul entrance fee, there is no entrance fee for the Blue Mosque of Istanbul.
The Blue Mosque Istanbul entrance fee is free for any one visits the mosque, whether a resident or a tourist.
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9 Interesting Facts About The Blue Mosque of Istanbul
- A school, a hospital, a primary school, a market, an architecture and a tomb of Sultan Ahmed I, his wife and three sons were part of the original mosque.
- Mosques traditionally have one, two or four minarets and this is what makes the Blue Mosque Istanbul unique as it has six minarets.
- This was a misunderstanding, as the Sultan had ordered his architect to make golden minarets, which the architect understood it as six minarets.
- The holy mosque has six minarets, causing controversy to Sultan Ahmed, and he had to send his architect to Mecca to add a seventh minaret to the holy mosque.
- 20,000 blue tiles decorating the Blue Mosque Istanbul interior were made in Iznik; an area that was famous during the Ottoman Empire for its amazing production of ceramic tiles.
- In 2009, US President Barack Obama arrived Istanbul and visited the Blue Mosque Istanbul with Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- The famous Blue Mosque Istanbul includes 260 colored glass windows.
- Blue Mosque Istanbul hours are opened anytime.
- The architecture is a mixture of Ottoman and Byzantine styles.
- In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Blue Mosque Istanbul, and this visit was repeated in 2014 by Pope Francis.
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A Brief History of The Blue Mosque Istanbul
When Sultan Ahmed I began building the famous Blue Mosque Istanbul, his decision angered the Ottoman scholars and statesmen, as well as the Ottoman population.
They believed that Sultan Ahmed had no right to build the Blue Mosque Istanbul, and that was because the Ottoman sultans always paid for their mosque from their war spoils.
But Sultan Ahmed used the money from the treasury, and that what angered them the most.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Blue Mosque Istanbul
Is Hagia Sophia the Blue Mosque?
No, the Blue Mosque is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
How long did it take to build the Blue Mosque?
The building of the Blue Mosque was completed in 7 years.
When was the Blue Mosque built?
The Blue Mosque was built between 1609 and 1617 by Sultan Ahmed I.
Where is the Blue Mosque?
The Blue Mosque is located on the European side of Istanbul, it’s a five-minute walk to Hagia Sophia, right across the square.
Who built the Blue Mosque?
The Blue Mosque was built between 1609 and 1617 by Sultan Ahmed I.
What is the Blue Mosque?
The Blue Mosque is one of the historical landmarks in Istanbul that is known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
Is the Blue Mosque open?
The Blue Mosque is open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
Why is the Blue Mosque blue?
Because of the blue tiles used to decorate the Blue Mosque interior walls.
Why is the Blue Mosque important?
Because Sultan Ahmed built the Blue Mosque with 6 minarets and 20,000 blue tiles decorating its interior. The architecture of the mosque is a mixture of Ottoman and Byzantine styles.
Why was the blue mosque built?
The idea was to build a monument that would not only rival but exceed the magnificent Hagia Sophia.
Can you visit the Blue Mosque?
Yes, the Blue Mosque is open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
How big is the Blue Mosque?
The Blue Mosque has an area of 64 x 72 meters and a height of 43 meters.
How many minarets does the Blue Mosque have?
The Blue Mosque have six minarets.
How old is the Blue Mosque?
The construction of the Blue Mosque was completed in 1617.
Is the Blue Mosque in Europe or Asia?
The Blue Mosque is located on the European side of Istanbul.
Who is buried in the blue mosque?
Sultan Ahmed I is the one who is buried in the Blue Mosque.
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