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2017
The Blue Mosque: A Living Landmark of Istanbul
Published by Mara Munro, Writer
Country: Turkey 
The Experience
Stepping inside Istanbul's Sultanahmet Camii—commonly known as the Blue Mosque—is a unique experience. It is immediately apparent that this breathtaking building not only stores memories from centuries of Turkish history, but as an active mosque, the Blue Mosque remains central to Turkey’s ongoing story.
Built in the early 17th Century AD during the reign of Ahmed I, The Blue Mosque faces Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome, alluding to its important historical role in the city. Sections of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque were built on parts of the foundation of the Great Palace, the royal residence of Byzantine Emperors from (303 BC–1081 AD), when Istanbul was known as Constantinople. The architecture is beyond grand, and once you have entered the Sultanahmet mosque through the rear entrance reserved for tourists, and respectfully removed your shoes and covered your head with a scarf (women), it is truly a humbling experience. The immense amount of labour put into the Blue Mosque, with its lined interior of over 20, 000 handmade ceramic tiles, is a testament to the immense reverence for God. It is also proof of the unique artists’ talents that Turkey is known for, especially Darian tiles, traditional Turkish tulip designs done primarily in blue, hence the common name: the Blue Mosque.
As the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is not a museum, there are few pictures and timeline maps to read or digest; instead, try kneeling or respectfully sitting and absorbing the events taking place all around you, every moment, to truly get a sense of the place. Notice the divided prayer room for women, the numerous lights illuminating the prayer area, the marble mihrab pointing the way to Mecca, a solitary figure illuminated in the arch of a giant window absorbed in prayer, the many loud-voiced tourists snapping pictures, and even some irritated worshippers. Having tourists in the Sultan Ahmed Mosque remains a loaded and contentious issue. These are the layers of past and present, secular and religious, historic and social that layers your own experience of the place.
Today, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque stand in stark contrast. The Hagia Sophia is now a museum mapping out its past as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica turned mosque; and the Blue Mosque is a vibrant place of worship that is still very much a part of the current religious dialogue taking place in Turkey, and the world. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Blue Mosque, which was only the second papal visit to any mosque ever. Alongside Emrullah Hatipoğlu, the Blue Mosque's Imam, they performed silent prayer together facing Mecca. Pope Benedict went on to deliver a speech saying: “May all believers identify themselves with the one God, and bear witness to true brotherhood. [Turkey] will be a bridge of friendship and collaboration between East and West." The Pope’s speech marked a monumental symbolic gesture between two of the three principal monotheistic religions in the world, and added yet another historical event to the continuing tome of Turkish history that is the Blue Mosque.
Built in the early 17th Century AD during the reign of Ahmed I, The Blue Mosque faces Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome, alluding to its important historical role in the city. Sections of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque were built on parts of the foundation of the Great Palace, the royal residence of Byzantine Emperors from (303 BC–1081 AD), when Istanbul was known as Constantinople. The architecture is beyond grand, and once you have entered the Sultanahmet mosque through the rear entrance reserved for tourists, and respectfully removed your shoes and covered your head with a scarf (women), it is truly a humbling experience. The immense amount of labour put into the Blue Mosque, with its lined interior of over 20, 000 handmade ceramic tiles, is a testament to the immense reverence for God. It is also proof of the unique artists’ talents that Turkey is known for, especially Darian tiles, traditional Turkish tulip designs done primarily in blue, hence the common name: the Blue Mosque.
As the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is not a museum, there are few pictures and timeline maps to read or digest; instead, try kneeling or respectfully sitting and absorbing the events taking place all around you, every moment, to truly get a sense of the place. Notice the divided prayer room for women, the numerous lights illuminating the prayer area, the marble mihrab pointing the way to Mecca, a solitary figure illuminated in the arch of a giant window absorbed in prayer, the many loud-voiced tourists snapping pictures, and even some irritated worshippers. Having tourists in the Sultan Ahmed Mosque remains a loaded and contentious issue. These are the layers of past and present, secular and religious, historic and social that layers your own experience of the place.
Today, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque stand in stark contrast. The Hagia Sophia is now a museum mapping out its past as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica turned mosque; and the Blue Mosque is a vibrant place of worship that is still very much a part of the current religious dialogue taking place in Turkey, and the world. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Blue Mosque, which was only the second papal visit to any mosque ever. Alongside Emrullah Hatipoğlu, the Blue Mosque's Imam, they performed silent prayer together facing Mecca. Pope Benedict went on to deliver a speech saying: “May all believers identify themselves with the one God, and bear witness to true brotherhood. [Turkey] will be a bridge of friendship and collaboration between East and West." The Pope’s speech marked a monumental symbolic gesture between two of the three principal monotheistic religions in the world, and added yet another historical event to the continuing tome of Turkish history that is the Blue Mosque.
When to Go to Blue Mosque
It may be wise to find out if your visit will coincide with any of the major Islamic holidays, such as Ramadan. This may restrict your access to the Blue Mosque, or at least make it harder to visit given the potential crowds. However, if you are in it for the culture, this may be an interesting time to visit to get a feel for the festivities and rituals, and worth the gamble of whether you will be able to get in or not!
Odds n' Ends
Keep in mind that as an active mosque, it is closed during prayer times, which do shift over the course of the year, depending on what time the sun rises. There are six different prayer times, which occur at these approximate times: 4:44 a.m. (Fajr), 6:16 a.m. (Sunrise), 12:14 p.m. (Dhuhr), 3:35 p.m. (Asr), 6:11 p.m. (Maghrib) and 7:37 pm (Isha). Tourists are more than welcome to join the crowds that usually gather outside the Blue Mosque to hear the evening prayer, or Maghrib.
Make sure you have a few lira in your pocket to donate when exiting the Blue Mosque; but otherwise admission is free.
Women should make sure their shoulders and legs are not showing (at least nothing above the knee), and ABSOLUTELY cover your head with a scarf or shawl to enter the mosque. I saw quite a few tourists omit this important detail, and felt rather embarrassed for them when it was plain to see how offensive this was for the Muslims who were there to pray (which vastly outnumbered the tourists).
Make sure you have a few lira in your pocket to donate when exiting the Blue Mosque; but otherwise admission is free.
Women should make sure their shoulders and legs are not showing (at least nothing above the knee), and ABSOLUTELY cover your head with a scarf or shawl to enter the mosque. I saw quite a few tourists omit this important detail, and felt rather embarrassed for them when it was plain to see how offensive this was for the Muslims who were there to pray (which vastly outnumbered the tourists).
Places to Eat
- Sefa Restaurant
- Loved by locals and tourists alike, this restaurant is very popular, so get there early for lunch, as most dishes run out by 1:30pm. Open 7am to 5pm, dishes range from TL 7-16.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Hotel Empress Zoe
- Lonely Planet's 'pick' for a mid-range hotel in the Sultanhamet area; this is a boutique hotel run by American sisters Anne and Christina Nevens. Beautifully decorated, well-priced, and includes a stunning view from their roof-top terrace.
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Formally called Constantinople, Istanbul was the capital of the Roman Empire and Europe's wealthiest metropolis, and is now the largest city in Turkey.Blue Mosque:One of ...
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