Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Sultanahmet Istanbul | sultanahmet1.com
Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, is the most famous monument of Ottoman era. Sultan Ahmet I (1603-1617), a highly religious sultan of Istanbul during the Ottoman period, ordered his architect Sedefkar Mehmet Agha to build a mosque that would rival Hagia Sofia, a Byzantine church. Hence, a specific site was selected in front of Hagia Sofia and the construction began on the Sultan Ahmet Mosque began in the year 1609. It is regarded as the stupendous masterpiece of Ottoman architecture..
Blue Mosque from Hagia Sophia
Mehmet Agha, the architect of this mosque, was a disciple of Sinan, one of the best architects of the Ottoman era. Suleymaniye Mosque (1550-1557), located on the western bank of the Golden Horn, is an example of Sinan’s creative skills. Hagia Sofia is another example of his architectural designs.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque is built on an area of nearly 209 by 235 feet while its central dome is nearly 23.5 meters wide and 43 meters high. It is supported by round piers. The mosque has a huge courtyard in the front and is enclosed by a wall. There are eight gateways having doors made of bronze for gaining entry inside the mosque. The inner court has a marble pavement and a fountain surrounded several columns made of marble, granite and porphyry.
While most of the mosques have just one, two or four minarets; this mosque is distinguished by its six minarets visible from a distance. These minarets are classic examples of Ottoman architecture. The six minarets became a cause of scandal as one other mosque, namely the Haram Mosque in Mecca, had six minarets. However, this problem was solved by the sultan after he ordered his architect to add another minaret to Mecca’s Haram Mosque.
Sultan ahmet Mosque or Blue Mosque got its name from the blue tiles that decorate the interior walls of the mosque. The floor of the mosque has been covered by carpets, the tradition followed in all other mosques. The minarets and the domes are covered by lead while the minaret tops are made of gold-plated copper which are repaired from time to time by skilled master craftsmen.
The beautifully decorated west entrance of the mosque is worth seeing. However, the non-worshippers can only use the north entrance for gaining entry inside the mosque. This has been done to preserve the sanctity of the mosque. When entering the mosque from the north side, one cannot fail to see the symbolic chains that remind all to bow their head as a mark of respect while entering the mosque.
According to Islamic tradtion, Muslims are required to pray five times in a day. In the communal prayers held in the mosque, the imam reads verses from the Koran, the holy book of Muslims. The mosque has a separate area meant for offering prayers by men and women.
During the summers, a historical narrative as well as a light show is held at the Blue Mosque in the evenings.
Şunu daha büyük bir haritada görüntüle: Blue Mosque