Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey (Sultanahmet Camii)
The Blue Mosque
Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, also known as the ‘Sultan Ahmet Mosque‘ by local people, was built by Sultan Ahmet in 1609 and completed in 7 years, although foreigners have taken to calling it the Blue Mosque ‘ because of the beautiful blue Iznik tiles decorating the interior.
The architect who oversaw the mosque’s design was Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, better known as a student of Sinan (the greatest architect ever seen in the Ottoman Empire). Not only was it built to serve as a mosque, but its huge surrounding complex also held a medrese (theological school), turbe (tomb), hospital, caravaserai, primary school, public kitchen and market, although the hospital and caravanserai were destroyed in the nineteenth century.
After the public kitchens were destroyed in a fire in 1970, they were restored and incorporated into the School of Industrial Art. It presently serves as the Dean’s Office for the Marmara University.
Opening Hours:
The Blue Mosque is open everyday all year around but closes 5 times a day to tourists for short periods for prayertimes.
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