Iconic Turkish mosque – the Blue Mosque

Text / Compiled and reported by Li Xinyi of MOOK Travel Life Network | Source / MOOK Editorial Department

Standing opposite the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) might be the greatest regret of Sinan, the most outstanding architect in the Islamic world. Sinan endowed the former church, the Hagia Sophia, with an elegant Ottoman Islamic character. But during the peak of the Ottoman Empire, Sinan hoped even more that the experience of renovating the Hagia Sophia could be further developed — to build an even greater mosque, ideally right across from the Hagia Sophia...

Sinan built over 300 mosques throughout the Islamic world in his lifetime, but he never fulfilled this ambition. Instead, it was his talented disciple Mehmet Ağa who used Turkey’s most famous İznik blue tiles and Ottoman floral motifs such as tulips to construct the Blue Mosque. Majestically standing opposite the Hagia Sophia, it has become one of Istanbul’s most beloved, most talked-about, and therefore most visited attractions.

However, from an architectural standpoint, Mehmet’s work ultimately could not surpass Sinan’s achievements, especially Sinan’s establishment of the domed cross plan for Ottoman mosques, along with the design of complete and open public square spaces. In short, the Blue Mosque is an extension of Sinan’s architectural spirit. For the people of Istanbul, its significance still falls short of Sinan’s two true masterpieces in the city — the Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii) and the Rüstem Pasha Mosque (Rüstem Paşa Camii).

The Blue Mosque is named after the brilliance of İznik blue tiles, but its real name is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii). It can be considered the center of Istanbul’s old town, adjacent to the Hippodrome and standing directly opposite the Hagia Sophia. These two “great” buildings, less than 200 meters apart, along with their 10 Islamic minarets, form Istanbul’s most iconic skyline.

【Travel Information】

Address: Hippodrome, Sultanahmet

Opening Hours: Open all day except during the five daily prayer times.

Transportation: Tram to Sultanahmet stop, situated directly opposite the Hagia Sophia.

Admission: Free entry, but donations are welcome at the exit.

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