Istanbul - Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is known for the blue tiles on the inside of the mosque.  It's formal name is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.  The tiles and mosaics are gorgeous.  I think the mosaics are much more beautiful than most Christian art and stained glass.

It was built between 1609 and 1616 by Ahmed I.

The Blue Mosque is one of the top two tourist attractions in Istanbul, along with the Hagia Sophia.  It is the largest mosque in Turkey.  It was built right across from the Hagia Sophia, which at that time was also a mosque.  The Blue Mosque is thought to be the last example of classic Ottoman architecture.

The Blue Mosque has six minarets.  This was considered presumptuous at the time since that was the number that the Ka'aba in Mecca had.  An additional minaret was added to the Ka'aba so that it would have the largest number of minarets.

You will not be able to enter the mosque during the five daily prayer times.  You will know when the prayer times are because the call to prayer is announced over loudspeaker throughout the entire neighborhood.  Also, midday Friday is a special prayer time for Muslim men so also avoid that time.