Istanbul Things to Do Tips by pabertra

Aerial Istanbul

Although I normally prefer an aisle seat I would have fought to have had the window seat on the flight into Istanbul. The city is SO blue and so beautiful with the lovely Sea of Marmara and the sizeable Black Sea both in view as you edge closer to the airport.

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): Visit the Blue Mosque

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 28, 2004

Sultanahmet Camii

The Blue Mosque,or Sultanahmet Camii, is a huge mosque with six huge minarets. At the time this was the same number of minarets at the mosque in Mecca, so the Sultan financed a seventh minaret to be built in Mecca to avoid being seen as heretical. The number of minarets is symbolic as Sultan Ahmet was the 6th sultan to rule after the conquest of Constantinople. The mosque also has 16 balconies which represent his place as the 16th sultan since the beginning of the Ottoman State.

Though the exterior of the mosque is not blue it takes its name from the beautiful blue Iznik tiles that adorn the inside. It was built in 1617 and was the Sultan Ahmet's answer to the Aya Sofia.

The structure of the building is fascinating as it has been constructed with an internal framework of bars that enable it to bend to withstand earthquakes. The temperature of the mosque is controlled by an underground pool.

As you enter you will notice some of the tiles bear a floral like pattern. Although plant life is not typically permitted to be depicted in a mosque, this pattern was characteristic of the Ottomans.

One of the most memorable things about the mosque are the huge suspended chandeliers that hold tiny votive candles.

After your neck is thoroughly bent out of shape from staring towards the ceilings, wander outside to the courtyard which holds an ancient sundial used for determining prayer times.

Then visit the small domed structure called Sultanahmet'in Turbesi, which is the tomb of the Sultan and his wife and sons. In the back they claim to display strands of the Prophet Mohammed's beard, but I'll let you be the judge on that one.

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Address: In Sultanahmet, you cannot miss it!
Directions: Open Tu-Sat. 8:30-12:30 pm
1:45-3:45 pm
and 5:30-6:30 pm

Tomb open Tu-Sun. 9:30-4:30 pm

Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): Extra Picture of Blue Mosque

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 29, 2004

Blue Mosque

Here is an extra photo of the Blue Mosque. The building is just so amazingly beautiful and I encourage you to sit in the surrounding park and relax for awhile and just soak in the view.

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): Inside Blue Mosque---Interior Courtyard

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 29, 2004

Interior Courtyard

The entrance to this courtyard lies on the wall facing opposite to Mecca. It is here where the faithful come to perform their ablutions before prayer. In the courtyard, which is done in typical Ottoman style,you will find a central fountain and an ancient sundial which was used to determine the times for prayer.

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): In Blue Mosque---Arches of Interior Courtyard

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 29, 2004

Arches in Courtyard

The arches of the interior courtyard reminded me ever so vaguely of the red and white banded arches of the Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain. I really enjoyed the design and seeing the contrast with the red geometric symbols.

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): In the Blue Mosque---Intricate Domed Ceilings

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 29, 2004

Ceiling in Blue Mosque

Here is the perfect example of the intricately designed ceilings in this beautiful mosque.

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): In Blue Mosque----Floral Patterned Tiles

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 29, 2004

Floral Patterned Tiles

These floral patterned tiles are really fascinating, since the Muslim relgion does not typically incorporate anything that resembles plant or animal life in their buildings. Thus we normally see intricate geometric designs, but the Ottomans traditionally used floral like patterns as evidenced here by these tiles.

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): Interior of Blue Mosque

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 29, 2004

Interior of Blue Mosque

The interior of the Blue Mosque is gorgeous when illuminated by the natural light coming through the stained glass windows. The blue tiles shine with brilliance. All of the little cables are used to suspend the huge chandelier like structures that hold small candles, that are supposed to appear as free floating stars.

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): Interior of Blue Mosque 2

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 29, 2004

Interior of Blue Mosque

Here is a second picture for those that desire it.

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet ): In Blue Mosque--Ancient Iznik Tile

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Updated by pabertra

on Oct 29, 2004

Iznik Tiles