The Sultan Ahmet Camii, or Blue Mosque, is a prominent, functioning Istanbul mosque that sports an iconic Islamic and late classical Ottoman architecture style. With its 6 minarets, you won't have to look too hard to spot the mosque that towers over much of the surrounding area in Istanbul. You're free to tour the mosque as much as you like, but it does close 6 times a day for prayers, and the exact times can vary based on the sun's positioning.
If you're interested in religious structures, history or architecture, you'll find much to enjoy at Sultan Ahmet Camii. Even travellers who just want to take in scenic views will find joy in the sights around this towering mosque. People generally spend about 30 minutes to an hour here when visiting, so it's relatively easy to fit into your holiday itinerary.
Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul - one of the highlights of 12 Best Things to Do in Istanbul and 10 Free Things to Do in Istanbul (Read all about Istanbul here)
What are the highlights of Sultan Ahmet Camii in Istanbul?
The shining highlight of Sultan Ahmet Camii is its architectural construction. You'll find 6 towering minarets among 5 main domes and 8 secondary domes. Traditional Islamic architecture is designed with prominent Byzantine elements, which makes this mosque one of the last great structures of the classical period. When you visit, you can see it all, as the exterior and interior are open for exploration during certain times of the day.
Inside Sultan Ahmet Camii, you'll find a variety of designs utilised among the dome's undersides, but the Iznik-style ceramic tiles tend to stand out. Each of the more than 20,000 tiles was handmade, and the collection features over 50 different tulip designs. Living up to the name, the upper levels of the interior sport an iconic blue hue, which partly gives the mosque its name as the Blue Mosque.
A brief history of Sultan Ahmet Camii in Istanbul
The Sultan Ahmet Camii mosque had its groundbreaking in 1609 and was completed 7 years later. It was built to assert Ottoman power in Istanbul following the Ottoman-Safavid War. In Ottoman times, mosques were typically built using riches the sultan claimed in war, but this one was constructed using public funds. Of course, that angered plenty of Muslim jurists.
Controversy surrounded the construction of Sultan Ahmet Camii in more ways than just the funding. It also was constructed in front of the then-primary imperial mosque, the Hagia Sophia. Additionally, it stole some of the spotlight from the hippodrome, which previously dominated the southern view of the city's skyline. Still, it was constructed and stands today as an integral part of the city. In 1985, Sultan Ahmet Camii was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What else is good to know about Sultan Ahmet Camii in Istanbul?
Before you visit Sultan Ahmet Camii, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Since it's a religious site, visitors are expected to dress conservatively, which means women have to wear headscarves. If you don't have one, you can borrow one from the mosque. Additionally, the mosque is closed 6 times each day for prayer, and the actual prayer times aren't always clear, as they vary based on the positioning of the sun.
Visiting Sultan Ahmet Camii puts you close to several other iconic attractions as well. The Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace are a short distance to the north-east. Meanwhile, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts is just across the street to the north-west. You'll also be able to cross the Golden Horn easily from here by simply heading north across the bridge, where you'll find attractions like Galata Tower.
Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul
Ubicación: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No 7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Horarios: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm
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