Overview of the Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, in Istanbul, is a remarkable Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque, representing a significant piece of Turkish architectural heritage. Here are some key features and historical details about the mosque:
The mosque was built between 1609 and 1617 during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I, who ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1603 to 1617.
The Blue Mosque showcases classical Ottoman architecture. It features a central dome surrounded by four semi-domes over the prayer hall, a layout typical of Ottoman mosques.
One of the distinctive features of the Blue Mosque is its six minarets, a unique characteristic at the time of its construction. According to folklore, this feature arose from a misunderstanding of the sultan’s request for “gold minarets.”
The interior of the mosque is adorned with thousands of Iznik tiles, known for their intricate designs. The predominant color is blue, inspiring the mosque’s popular name. Floral motifs, calligraphic inscriptions, and painted decorations further enhance the interior.
The mosque is fronted by a spacious courtyard, a common feature in Ottoman mosque design. The courtyard has a classic rectangular peristyle form, with arcaded and domed porticos on each side.
The mosque is part of a larger religious complex, or külliye, which includes Ahmed I’s tomb, a madrasa (educational institution), and several other buildings. The külliye reflects the comprehensive approach to religious and social services common in Ottoman architecture.
The Blue Mosque was strategically constructed next to the former Hippodrome, an ancient chariot-racing track, and stands in proximity to the iconic Hagia Sophia, another significant historical site in Istanbul.
The Blue Mosque was recognized for its cultural and historical significance and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1985. It is part of the “Historic Areas of Istanbul,” a designation that encompasses the city’s rich historical and architectural heritage.
Despite its historical significance and popularity as a tourist attraction, the Blue Mosque remains an active and functioning mosque, welcoming worshippers for daily prayers.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque History
Construction of the Blue Mosque
After the Peace of Zsitvatorok, perceived as a setback to Ottoman prestige, Sultan Ahmed I initiated the construction of a grand mosque in Istanbul to seek divine favor. This decision marked the first imperial mosque construction by a sultan since Selim II. Positioned on the southeast side of the Byzantine Hippodrome near the iconic Hagia Sophia, the mosque aimed to rival or surpass its symbolic significance and dominate the city’s skyline. The site, originally occupied by Ottoman viziers’ palaces, underwent an expensive expropriation process, leading to objections from Islamic legal scholars (ulema) who believed imperial mosques should be funded through conquest spoils. Despite opposition and economic stress, construction began in 1609 and concluded in 1617. Ahmed I’s death in 1617, around the mosque’s completion, prompted debates about the finalization of the project under Mustafa I.
Public Opinion
The mosque’s grandeur, opulent decoration, and elaborate public celebrations organized by Ahmed I helped overcome initial controversies, making it one of the city’s most popular mosques. Despite the protests of the ulema, who initially forbade Muslims from praying there, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque became an enduring symbol, leaving a significant mark on the city and giving its name to the surrounding Sultanahmet neighborhood.
Restorations
In 1883, substantial portions of the mosque’s painted interior decorations were replaced with new stenciled paintwork, altering the original color scheme. A significant fire in 1912 caused damage to several peripheral structures within the mosque complex, leading to subsequent restoration efforts to preserve its historical integrity.
In the 21st century, a significant restoration effort was undertaken to preserve the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. In 2013, during preparatory work, a concerning issue was identified – the northwest minaret had shifted 5 centimeters (2.0 inches) over time, posing a potential threat to the mosque’s structural stability. Recognizing the importance of addressing this issue, reconstruction and repair work on the affected minaret commenced in 2015.
Subsequently, a comprehensive restoration project was initiated for the entire mosque. The restoration work, which began in 2018, aimed to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. The intricate process involved careful attention to detail, utilizing traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques to ensure the longevity of this iconic Ottoman-era structure.
The extensive restoration efforts culminated in the completion of the project in April 2023. The meticulous work not only addressed the immediate structural concerns but also rejuvenated the mosque’s overall aesthetic and historical features. This restoration serves to extend the lifespan of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, allowing future generations to continue appreciating its cultural and architectural significance.
Architecture of the Blue Mosque
Overview
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, boasts a majestic and impressive architectural design. The mosque’s layout is inspired by the Şehzade Mosque, a creation of the renowned architect Mimar Sinan in the early 16th century. The prayer hall covers a substantial area of 64 by 72 meters, featuring a central dome with a diameter of 23.5 meters. This central dome is encircled by four semi-domes, each accompanied by three smaller semi-domes or exedrae. Additionally, four smaller domes grace the corners of the prayer hall. The exterior of the mosque is adorned with six minarets, ablution facilities, and a spacious courtyard preceding the prayer hall.
Architect: Sedefkar Mehmed Agha
The architect behind this masterpiece is Sedefkar Mehmed Agha. Drawing inspiration from his mentor Sinan, Mehmed Agha aimed for grandiosity, majesty, and splendor in the mosque’s design. The synthesis of Byzantine architecture elements from the nearby Hagia Sophia with Islamic architectural features characterizes the classical Ottoman style prevalent during this period.
Architectural Style of Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Mehmed Agha’s approach is described as more “sculptural” by architectural historian Doğan Kuban. This involves meticulous attention to building details and a willingness to break down elements into smaller, intricate parts. This marks a departure from Sinan’s emphasis on rigorous spatial designs with relatively restrained decoration. Gülru Necipoğlu notes that the Sultan Ahmed Mosque exemplifies a trend toward extravagance in Ottoman buildings during this era, evident in its size, the number of minarets, and the lavish use of Iznik tiles.
Critiques and Admiration
While some architectural historians have scrutinized certain details of the mosque in comparison to Sinan’s earlier works, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque remains one of the most impressive and widely admired monuments of Ottoman architecture. Its synthesis of different architectural elements, monumental scale, and intricate details contribute to its status as an iconic and beloved symbol.
Interior of the Blue Mosque
– The interior of the Blue Mosque is defined by its grand dome and cascading semi-domes, with the main dome soaring to a height of 43 meters.
– Support for the dome’s weight comes from four massive cylindrical pillars, connected seamlessly by long, smooth pendentives.
– Smaller pendentives are used for transitions between semi-domes and their exedrae, contributing to a smooth flow within the structure.
– The transition from rectangular outer walls to the central dome is softened using muqarnas, a stalactite-like sculpting made of stucco.
– A two-floor gallery, supported by columns, runs along three sides of the prayer hall, offering a vantage point for attendees.
– Two fountains are incorporated into the northern pillars, akin to the Süleymaniye Mosque’s prayer hall.
– The floor is carpeted, with faithful donors regularly replacing the carpets.
– The mihrab, made of finely carved marble with muqarnas niche and inscription panels, is a focal point at ground level.
– The richly decorated minbar (pulpit) stands to the right of the mihrab, crafted from elaborately carved marble and capped with a gold-covered conical cap.
– The hünkâr mahfil, or sultan’s loge, an elevated platform in the southeast corner, is supported by ten marble columns and has its own mihrab with rich decoration.
– The sultan’s loge is accessible through an “imperial pavilion”, an L-shaped structure leading to two rooms for the sultan’s use.
– The loge was partly destroyed by fire in 1912 but was later restored.
– The lower walls feature Iznik tiles, with orders for tiles continuously sent from 1607 onwards.
– Approximately 21,043 tiles, showcasing over fifty designs, adorn the mosque’s interior.
– The finest tiles are on the upper gallery’s north wall, presenting cypress trees, flowers, and fruit in various colors.
– Painted motifs, predominantly blue, decorate nearly 75% of the walls, featuring floral arabesques and calligraphic inscriptions.
– Opus sectile decoration is used at floor level, and the mosque contains high-quality inlaid woodwork.
– The mosque boasts 260 windows, incorporating intricate designs with small pieces of colored glass, including some gifted by the Signoria of Venice.
– Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling illuminate the mosque, and many lamps were once covered with gold and gems, including ostrich eggs and crystal balls.
Exterior of Sultan Ahmed Mosque
– The exterior mirrors the cascade of domes and semi-domes, creating a smooth profile towards the central dome.
– A slightly different approach is taken compared to earlier Ottoman architects, emphasizing a softer, smoother transition.
– The mosque courtyard has three entrances, with the central entrance being the most monumental, featuring a tall projecting portal topped by a small dome.
– The courtyard has a classic rectangular peristyle form, with 26 columns supporting porticos and 30 domes above them.
– At the center of the courtyard is the shadirvan, an octagonal domed kiosk sheltering a fountain used for ablutions.
– The Blue Mosque is distinguished by its six minarets, a rare feature in Turkish mosques.
– Each minaret is fluted and topped by a slender, conical cap, with the four corner minarets having six balconies and the outer corner minarets having two balconies each.
– According to folklore, the sultan’s request for “gold minarets” was misunderstood as “six minarets”, leading to the unique feature.
– Each minaret is supported by muqarnas-carved corbeling, and the muezzin historically climbed narrow spiral staircases to announce the call to prayer.
Other Segments of the Blue Mosque Complex
Similar to many significant Ottoman religious establishments, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque constitutes the central component of an expansive compound. Diverging from prior imperial mosque complexes, the structures in this compound lack a systematic layout around the mosque due to the challenging site adjacency to the Hippodrome. Consequently, auxiliary buildings were scattered around the mosque and the Hippodrome rather than forming a cohesive plan. An outer court, enclosed by a wall, encompasses the mosque.
Situated northeast of the mosque and adjacent to the Hippodrome square, Ahmed I’s mausoleum began construction in 1619 after his death. Completed by his son, Osman II, the tomb chamber exhibits a square floor plan topped by a dome, deviating from the octagonal form common in Ottoman mausoleums. The dome spans 15 meters in diameter, with a small rectangular alcove at the chamber’s rear. The portico at the tomb’s entrance features three arches. Internally, the mausoleum houses the tombs of Sultan Ahmed I, his wife Kösem, and three sons: Sultan Osman II, Sultan Murat IV, and Prince Bayezid.
Adjacent to the outer wall of the mosque’s precinct to the northeast, the madrasa, likely completed around 1620, follows a classical layout. A rectangular courtyard is surrounded by an arcaded and domed portico, with dormitory rooms behind each portico. Notable deviations from conventional madrasa design include the absence of a monumental entrance portal and the placement of the dershane (classroom) at a corner rather than the middle of a side. Accessible through a discreet doorway on the northwest side, the madrasa’s design reflects an innovation in layout. A separate square structure, the darülkurra (Qur’an reading school), within the outer enclosure of the nearby mausoleum, currently serves as Ottoman archives storage.
Constructed over the semi-circular southwest end of the Hippodrome, the complex’s hospital (darüşşifa) is a square building surrounding an internal courtyard, initiated in 1609 and completed in 1620. Northeast of this, three buildings forming the imaret (soup kitchen) were built in a row, beginning in 1617 and likely concluding in 1620. The structures include a pantry, kitchen and oven, and a dining hall. While the hospital and guesthouses were demolished in the 19th century, an academy replaced them. The surviving hammam section and courtyard fountain of the hospital persist, integrated into the restored academy, now housing the rectorate of Marmara University.
The primary school (sibyan mektebi), a simple rectangular building, stands over the east side of the mosque’s outer precinct wall. Completed around 1617, it suffered a fire in 1912 but has since been restored. Southward, beyond a sloped tunnel, stands a partially ruined hammam, likely completed in 1617. Below the southeast side of the mosque precinct lies an arasta, a market street built as part of the complex. Completed in 1617, it endured destruction in 1912 but underwent restoration between 1982 and 1985, now serving as a bazaar for tourists.
FAQs about the Blue Mosque
No, the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) and Hagia Sophia are not the same. They are two distinct historical monuments in Istanbul, Turkey. The Blue Mosque is an Ottoman-era mosque, while Hagia Sophia was originally a Byzantine cathedral, later converted into a mosque, and then a museum.
The Blue Mosque is famous for its stunning architecture, featuring a central dome, cascading semi-domes, and intricate blue Iznik tiles that adorn its interior. Its six minarets and strategic location across from Hagia Sophia contribute to its iconic status. The mosque is a significant example of Ottoman architecture and a symbol of Istanbul.
Yes, tourists can enter the Blue Mosque. However, visitors are required to follow certain guidelines, such as removing their shoes, dressing modestly, and being respectful during prayer times. It’s also recommended to check for any restrictions or closures, as mosques may close to tourists during prayer times.
The opening times for the Blue Mosque can vary. Opening hours in 2024 goes from 8.30 to 17.45.
The amount of time needed to explore the Blue Mosque depends on individual preferences. On average, visitors may spend around 30 minutes to an hour admiring the architecture, interior decorations, and surroundings. However, those interested in Islamic art and history might spend more time.
It’s generally a good idea to visit the Blue Mosque during non-prayer times to avoid disruptions. Mornings or early afternoons are often less crowded. Checking the prayer schedule and planning your visit accordingly can enhance your experience.
Yes, the Blue Mosque is considered well worth a visit due to its historical significance, architectural beauty, and cultural importance. It offers a glimpse into Ottoman architecture and Islamic art, making it a must-see attraction in Istanbul.
No, there is no entrance fee to visit the Blue Mosque. However, donations are appreciated, and visitors are expected to be respectful of the religious significance of the site.
Generally, the Blue Mosque is open every day for visitors. However, it’s essential to be aware of prayer times and any special events or closures that might affect regular visiting hours.
While the Blue Mosque is generally not open for regular visits at night, there may be specific events or occasions when it is illuminated and visible from the outside.
On 30 November 2006, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Blue Mosque during his trip to Turkey, marking the second papal visit to a Muslim place of worship in history. After removing his shoes, the Pope engaged in silent meditation for two minutes alongside Mustafa Çağrıcı, the Mufti of Istanbul, and Emrullah Hatipoğlu, the Imam of the Blue Mosque. The Pope expressed gratitude to divine Providence and called for believers to unite under one God, emphasizing true brotherhood. He acknowledged Turkey as a bridge between East and West, thanking the Turkish people for their warm reception.