Prelude

If you have traveled to Istanbul for at least once, certainly you have visited Sultanahmet Mosque (Turkish: Sultanahmet Camii) in Istanbul, Turkey. The mosque is also used to be called the Blue Mosque because of the Blue Tiles surrounding the walls of the mosque. Over the years, this mosque has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Istanbul. This iconic mosque was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1985.

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History

Sultanahmet Mosque has been built between 1609 to 1616 during the rule of Ahmed 1. It has been named by the name of the emperor Ahmed. The mosque was built on the site of the palace of the Byzantine emperors, in front of the basilica Ayasofya aka Hagia Sophia and the hippodrome, a site of significant symbolic meaning as it dominated the city skyline from the south.

Architecture

The Sultanahmet Mosque has one Main Dome, Six Minarets, and Eight Secondary Domes. Six minarets caused quite a scandal, as the Haram Mosque in Mecca (the holiest place for Muslims in the world) also had six minarets. However, in the end, the sultan solved the problem by adding a seventh minaret to Haram Mosque. The design of the Sultanahmet Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of Ottoman Mosque development. It incorporates some Byzantine Christian elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.

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How to Visit the Sultanahmet Mosque

Besides being a tourist attraction, this is also an active mosque. Muslims offer five-time prayers at the mosque, therefore, it closes for tourists for 30 minutes to 45 minutes during regular prayer. However, during Friday prayer, it closes for the tourists for approx 90 minutes.

Tourists often look for answers to many questions before visiting the Sultanahmet Mosque. Here are some answers, which would certainly assist you in your next visit to Blue Mosque.

Time for Visit. Try to visit the start of your visit at the early hours of the day and finish before midday prayer. This is the largest slot of the day you will get for your visit inside the mosque. By all means avoid visiting the mosque during the prayer, especially during Friday midday prayer.

Dress Code for Visit. Male visitors must not enter the mosque putting on shorts shorter than your knee length. Female visitors should wear a headscarf and must cover their legs. Headscarves and rob to cover legs are available at the entrance. If you collect headscarf and rob at the entrance, you may return those at the exit. However, despite the availability of free headscarf and rob, I suggest you have your own in this present COVID-19 situation for safety. You will be able to purchase from around the mosque. Moreso, this will be another piece of cheap souvenir. 🙂

Take off Your Shoes. Before entering the Mosque all should take off their shoes and put those in plastic bags provided at the entrance free of charge. This is required as it has been mentioned, this mosque is an active mosque, and Muslims never enter the mosque with shoes on. Well, we would suggest you carry a small backpack 🎒 (which every traveler usually carry) and put your shoes inside it. It is not easy to take care of your shoes, seeing things, and again taking photographs altogether. At the exit, you may dispose of your carry bag.

Entrance Fee. There’s no entrance fee for visiting the mosque. However, once you step out you will find a booth for donation. You may donate any amount at your will. However, if you make any donation, they will provide you a slip.

Special Tips for Traveler

– If you are traveling with a toddler(s), leave the Stroller of your baby outside (somewhere safe). Security will not allow you to enter with a stroller.

– If you are in a long queue and someone approaches you for any shortcuts, ignore them. They are probably some broker of any vendor. In the worst scenario, they might leave you in the hand of security personnel.

– In the crowd take care of belongings and never carry your backpack at the back. Carry your bag/ backpack on your chest for safety.

– Once you are inside the mosque please be quiet. As this is a place of worship, you will always find people worshiping including female worshipers. Avoid staring at them. Visit the mosque respectfully and quietly.

Special Tips for Photography

– Once you are inside the mosque do not use flash for photography.

– Respect people and do not cause any disturbance to the worshipers or any fellow travelers.

– Do not take random shots of people inside. People may feel offended and that might result trouble for you.

– Istanbul and this mosque are heavens for street photography. Look around; mosque premises, entrances, parks, etc. You will find extraordinary frames if you can afford some time and can look from a different perspective. Most of my photographs are captured using a Canon 5D MK3 camera with Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8 lens.

– I suggest you visit in the evening as well to get some night shot of this magnificent architecture.

– If you want to have some drone footage, please do get approval from the Turkish authority to fly a drone. Otherwise, flying a drone from anywhere near the mosque might put you in trouble. I use DJI Mavic 2 Pro. You may get this drone for magnificent cinematic footage/ photographs.

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The Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the premier architectural monuments of the Sultanahmet era. This monument deserves much more elaboration from the historical perspective. However, you will find tons of details on history and heritage if you want to educate yourself. Our principal focus is to present some details of the spot which would really assist you in seeing and exploring the place better. If you think these details would be helpful to others, please share and subscribe to our blog.