If you go to Istanbul, you’ll discover it exhausting to overlook the extraordinary mosques of the Ottoman Empire, essentially the most well-known of which is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, higher generally known as the Blue Mosque. Built when the Ottoman empire was at its peak, the Blue Mosque is an architectural masterpiece, from its a number of adorned minarets to its stunning tiles and colours.
In This Article
The History of The Mosque
This architectural masterpiece has a wealthy, fascinating and considerably controversial background. Let’s study extra concerning the Blue Mosque’s historical past.
Where Was It Built?
You can discover the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, located on Sultanahmet Square, the place the Byzantine emperors’ palace as soon as stood. It stands in entrance of the Hippodrome and the Basilica Ayasofya, also referred to as the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque or the Church of Holy Wisdom.
Dominating the town skyline from the south, the Blue Mosque holds appreciable symbolic significance. The Hagia Sophia was undoubtedly a supply of inspiration, and the Blue Mosque might be seen as an try to compete with a rival civilization.
Why Was It Built?
The Ottomans had fought a devastating battle in opposition to their European enemies, the Habsburgs and one other lengthy and futile struggle in opposition to the Persians within the years earlier than the Blue Mosque’s building. In the wake of those wars, Sultan Ahmed I wished to depart a legacy of making stunning structure that reasserted Ottoman energy.
Despite the grandeur of this unimaginable constructing, when construction started in 1609, it was considerably of a foul omen. Typically, Ottoman rulers would construct stunning monuments after a profitable struggle marketing campaign, funding the development with the spoils. Unfortunately, the Ottomans had skilled a crushing loss in opposition to the Persians underneath Sultan Ahmed I’s reign.
Who Was the Architect?
Sedefqar Mehmeti of Elbasan, also referred to as Sedefkar Mehmed Agha Biçakçiu, was the chief architect of the Blue Mosque. The mosque was the top of his architectural profession within the pursuit of emulating his instructor — the best Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan.
Originally from Albania, Mehmed traveled to Istanbul in 1563, the place he spent six years as a cadet. Afterward, Mehmed specialised in mother-of-pearl inlay for twenty years earlier than switching to structure and receiving a place as Sinan’s apprentice.
The pupil aspired to surpass his instructor, and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque was his alternative to point out off his architectural model with brighter colours, immense dimension and magnificence.
Throughout the years, Mehmed earned many prestigious positions from his work, from Chief Bailiff to Master of the Waterways. He turned chief imperial architect to the Ottoman courtroom in 1606, and between 1609 and 1616, he completely labored on the Blue Mosque. Mehmed Agha handed away in 1617. Fortunately, he left a guide on structure concept containing his work strategies.
What Materials Does It Use?
The Blue Mosque consists of wooden, lead and varied stones, together with porphyry, pink granite, breccia, puddingstone and marble. Mehmed Agha used mould stone for the construction’s partitions because it was light-weight and simple to fabricate. The columns of the mosque are marble, granite and porphyry.
Finally, greater than 20,000 handpainted Iznik tiles are fastidiously organized to rise from the midsections of the mosque.
What Does It Look Like?
The mosque is a külliye, a fancy of buildings that serve varied features. This advanced consists of the mosque and different amenities, together with a mausoleum, a royal pavilion and a backyard platform. The mosque itself has two sections — an enormous prayer corridor topped with a central dome and a spacious courtyard.
Unlike earlier imperial mosques in Istanbul, the outer stone partitions include many home windows and a blind arcade. The courtyard sits raised above the encompassing areas, with steps in three of its partitions main as much as large entry gates. The inside body of the courtyard is a domed arcade that’s equivalent on all sides besides on the prayer corridor entry, the place the arches widen.
Four colossal columns maintain up the central dome, and pendentives — delicate triangular segments — assist it. Four of the six minarets are on the corners of the mosque’s prayer corridor, whereas the opposite two are on the courtyard’s exterior corners. A succession of balconies decorates every slender, sharply pointed minaret.
The architectural highlights of the prayer corridor are the sultan’s platform and an arcaded gallery that runs alongside the inside partitions. A carved marble area of interest within the heart of 1 wall directs the devoted towards Mecca, and a tall, slim marble pulpit with an ornate turret stands to its proper.
One take a look at the greater than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles inside is sufficient to perceive the place the identify “Blue Mosque” comes from. Most of the tiles embody photos of fruits, roses and timber in shades of inexperienced, turquoise and blue, evoking photos of a plentiful paradise. The mosque additionally boasts over 200 stained glass home windows, a present from the Venetian authorities to Sultan Ahmed.
What to Expect When You Visit
For the best expertise visiting the Blue Mosque, you’ll wish to use the northwest entrance into the inside courtyard. Entering by way of the archway close to the Hippodrome will give you a wide ranging view of the central dome’s huge grandeur and symmetry. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is an energetic web site of worship and for those who arrive throughout the name to prayer, you’ll hear music ringing all through the stone courtyard.
If you intend to enter the mosque, you could abide by the Blue Mosque gown code. Neither males nor ladies are allowed to put on tank tops, shorts or footwear. Women should cowl their heads and shoulders — for those who require a headcover, you may get one from the vacationer entrance. Small plastic luggage are an ideal resolution for carrying your footwear, and shoe racks can be found inside for those who favor to not deliver them with you. You could solely placed on footwear once more when you exit completely through the western entrance.
Around the mosque, you too can go to the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern. Windstar Cruises has a group of expedition guides who can fulfill your curiosity and supply extra perception, understanding and commentary in your go to to the Blue Mosque, serving to you will have the finest time and expertise.
Visit The Blue Mosque With Windstar Cruises
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Immerse your self within the journey and the vacation spot. Contact us to begin planning your trip to Turkey and the Blue Mosque right now.
