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Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Cami)

7 Atmeydanı Caddesi, Sultan Ahmet, İstanbul

Description

The Blue Mosque, also called Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is one of Istanbul most iconic monuments. It was constructed in the early 17th century during the rule of Ahmed I and owe its name to the hand-painted blue tiles on its interior walls. Architecturally, it is notable for its six minarets and thirteen domes (5 main and 8 secondary), and it incorporates many Byzantine elements found in neighbouring Hagia Sophia. Its interior is heavily ornamented with 20,000 hand-painted glazed ceramic, 200 stained-glass windows and massive chandeliers.

Access & Transport

The mosque is located next to the old Constantinople Hippodrome / Sultanahmet Square. The Sultanahmet tram station (T1) is 300m away.

Instructions & Recommendations

Note that there was considerable renovation work inside the building at the time of this review. Please check prayer times in advance and make sure you are appropriately dressed. The opening hours for tourists are from 08:30 until one hour before dusk each day, excluding 90 minutes each prayer time, and two hours during Friday noon prayers. Link to Istanbul prayer times: https://namazvakitleri.diyanet.gov.tr/en-US/9541/prayer-time-for-istanbul

Meta review

The mosque is one of Istanbul and even Turkey "poster child" monuments, so visitors are not only familiar with its look but also have high expectations. From the outside, few people are disappointed and the online reviews often qualify it as the most beautiful mosque they have ever seen. As for the interior, it is impressive but comparatively smaller and recent feedback state that with such heavy renovation work (full of scaffolding and barriers) the inside is currently only worth a quick look.

Environmental & Social

No environmental impact and helps preserve the city's architectural and historical heritage

Conclusion

The competition for the most spectacular mosque has a strong field but the Blue Mosque of Istanbul is definitely up there in contention. We prefer the interior of Hagia Sophia or Süleymaniye but the minarets, domes and proportion really have something special and unforgettable about them.

Key positive

Gorgeous architecture

Centrally located and free entrance

Key negative

Heavy renovation work inside (at the time of this review)

Suitability

No religious denomination restriction but it is important to dress properly and avoid prayer times. Wheelchair users will need to transfer to the mosque's own equipment before accessing the carpeted areas

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Actual visit hours is determined by prayer time

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:0h 45m

Regulated hours
Period 1

MONDAY08:30 - 11:30

TUESDAY08:30 - 11:30

WEDNESDAY08:30 - 11:30

THURSDAY08:30 - 11:30

FRIDAY -

SATURDAY08:30 - 11:30

SUNDAY08:30 - 11:30

Period 2

MONDAY13:00 - 17:00

TUESDAY13:00 - 17:00

WEDNESDAY13:00 - 17:00

THURSDAY13:00 - 17:00

FRIDAY14:00 - 17:00

SATURDAY13:00 - 17:00

SUNDAY13:00 - 17:00

Pricing
Free

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