More than 20,000 blue handmade Iznik tiles, stained-glass windows, and the golden brushstrokes of a 17th-century calligraphy embellish the Blue Mosque. It is Sultan Ahmet I's legacy (1590-1617). This majestic mosque is now a place of prayer for thousands of visitors from all over the world...
The Blue Mosque was built as a place of worship for Sultan Ahmet I, who ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1574 to 1603. The mosque was named after the many colors used in its decoration. The complex also includes a grand palace where he lived before he became sultan. Now this historic site is a place of prayer for thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Many people know the Blue Mosque from photos because it is not open to the public. But you can see detailed drawings of its interior when it was still intact at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This museum exhibition called "The Soul of Islam: Religious Texts in Context" opened in 2003 and closed in 2005. It was made possible through grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Islamic Studies at McGill University.
The exhibition showed more than 100 texts from across the Muslim world that illustrate different aspects of religion. They range in date from about 600 to 1500 years old.
One of the most beautiful examples is the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam.
The Blue Mosque, one of the most important works of Ottoman history, was erected at the request of Sultan Ahmet I by architect Mehmet Aga. In addition, as a gift of appreciation to God, Sultan Ahmet wished to construct a temple of unparalleled splendor. However, due to his death before it could be completed, only the mosque was built.
The mosque is famous for its beautiful blue and white tiles which cover the walls and the ceiling. The design of the mosque is based on the Quran which means it has no main entrance but only gates called "darüşşafa". Inside the building, there are three chambers: the first chamber has no windows and is used for prayers; the second chamber has small windows and is used for meditation or praise; and the third chamber has large windows and is used to receive visitors.
The construction of the Blue Mosque took ten years and it was opened in 1616. It remains one of the most impressive religious buildings in Istanbul today.
In conclusion, the Blue Mosque is important for Islam because it is a place where Muslims can go to pray and seek forgiveness from Allah.
History of the Blue Mosque Sultan Ahmed I commissioned architect Mehmet Aga to construct the Blue Mosque between 1609 and 1616. It was built as an imperial display of power to compliment the majestic Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square. The mosque is named after the many blue tiles used in its construction.
The original design of the mosque called for blue majolica on the interior walls and ceilings, but this aspect was changed during restoration work in the 1930s. Today the mosque is painted white with blue trim.
Sultan Ahmed I was one of the most powerful sultans in Ottoman history. He ruled from 1578 to 1603 and again from 1603 to 1617. During his first tenure as sultan he fought numerous battles against the Russians while also trying to expand the reach of the empire. In 1591, he captured Constantinople from the Turks who had held it since 1261. He then made it his capital city. As soon as he became emperor in 1578, he started building his own palace complex which is now part of the present-day Blue Mosque site.
In 1609, Sultan Ahmed I died at the age of 55. His son Murad IV continued to build projects around Istanbul including the Topkapi Palace and the Dolmabahçe School.
The inside of the mosque is lined with 20,000 blue tiles that go all the way to the lofty ceiling. Flowers, trees, and abstract patterns adorn the oldest of these tiles, which are excellent examples of sixteenth-century Iznik design. The finest quality stone was used for the building of the mosque and its annexes. Each tile is about 1 foot by 1 foot, and they weigh from 5 to 10 pounds each.
The mosque's interior covers an area of about 40,000 square feet. It has two aisles with 74 pillars supporting the roof above. There are also three other aisles with an additional 74 pillars. All the wood used in the construction of the mosque was brought from Europe.
As you enter the main door of the mosque, to your left there is an elevator that takes visitors up to the dome gallery for a view of the enclosure. The elevator is not open to the public because of safety concerns but you can see a video of it in action on the Blue Mosque website.
After viewing the elevator, continue into the heart of the mosque where there are several small rooms called _mirrors_ where visitors may pause for prayer. These mirrors were originally covered with delicate gold leaf but now only serve to reflect the bright lights behind them.
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