The Blue Mosque
The Symbol of the Ottoman Empire
Sultanahmet Mosque is an imposing historical structure located in the historic peninsula of Istanbul, Turkey. It was built by Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I between 1609 and 1617 and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The mosque is located in the Historic Peninsula and bears the signature of Architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa. It is also known as the "Blue Mosque" by tourists because it is decorated with blue, green, and white Iznik tiles and its domes are decorated with blue-heavy calligraphy. The magnificent mosque, decorated with over 20,000 Iznik tiles, is an extraordinary work of art with traditional plant motifs in yellow and blue tones.
The architecture of the mosque is a synthesis of Ottoman mosque architecture and Byzantine church architecture. Located next to Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque has both Byzantine influences and traditional Islamic architectural elements. Architect Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa was successful in expressing the dimensions with grandeur, grandeur, and splendor in this design. The details inside the mosque are awe-inspiring, especially the marble mihrab and the ceramic tile-covered walls.
The mosque, which has a total of six minarets, is the first mosque in Turkey with six minarets. Of these minarets, four are located at the corners, while the other two are located in the courtyard. The mosques "sultan mahfil" is located in the southeast corner. It consists of a platform, two small rest rooms, and a veranda. The Hünkar mahfil, supported by 10 marble columns, has its own mihrab decorated with emerald, rose, and gilding, and 100 Korans are worked in gold.
The opening windows on the ground floor of the Sultanahmet Mosque are decorated with a type of flooring called "opus sectile". This technique involves assembling small stone pieces to create geometric patterns. Each curved section has 5 windows, some of which do not allow light to pass through. Each semi-dome has 14 windows and the central dome has 28 windows, 4 of which are blind. The colored glass for the windows is a gift from the Doge of Venice to the Sultan.
Most of these colored glasses have been replaced with modern versions that have no artistic value today. The enchanting atmosphere and unique architecture of the Sultanahmet Mosque is recommended as a must-see for anyone visiting Istanbul.