The Blue Mosque in Istanbul | Anita Mathias: Dreaming Beneath the Spires

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul

I visited the Blue Mosque today. Simply gorgeous. Called blue because of the Iznik tiles, but also because of the wealth of stained glass windows. Simply, mind-blowingly, mind-bogglingly gorgeous!!

And I am thankful to my husband, Roy for the photos and the commentary in the rest of this post!

View of the Blue Mosque from just inside the courtyard.
The banners give extracts from the courtyard that are likely to appeal to all. e.g,
Pay the worker his wage before his sweat dries

The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Cami in Turkish) is generally regarded as the most beautiful Mosque in Istanbul, and is many tourists’ favourite sight. Here is an aerial view

showing the six minarets (four is more usual) the large courtyard, and the hilltop setting. Notice also the single large dome, smaller domes and numerous semi-domes (in this picture and the one above). The inside of each of them is decorated.

Entrance to the outer courtyard

detail

Some views from inside the courtyard, which was a cool, peaceful and restful place.

Ceiling design

Arcade along one side of the outer courtyard

The entrance for those who wish to prayer. The honeycombing above the calligraphy is very similar to that at the Alhambra.

The dome above this entrance. (The first of many obstructed photos, alas.)

Here are views of the interior of the Blue Mosque. The blue dome, is the central dome. The diagonal lines (that may look like scratches on your screen, are very numerous wires that suspend the numerous chandeliers.) The central dome, is surrounded by for semi-domes, each of which is surrounded by thr ee smallersemi-domes. It is almost fractal!

Here are a couple of slightly more detailed shots

The interior is carpeted. Here is a view of the region reserved for those wishing to pray – there were mostly men in prayer, but also a couple of 4-year-old boys running a round, a man in traditional garb taking photos and a couple of women. (There was also a an area reserved for women to pray at the back, behind a lattice.)

Area reserved for prayer. Note chandeliers, and the pillar, which is all of 5 meters, yes 16 feet in diameter. (The pillars, lights,and suspension wires prevent enter most photos!) Note also the stained glass windows.

The tulip did of course originate in Turkey.

There are about 160 windows. Here are a couple of close ups.

The blue tiles between the windows, and around the upper gallery, which seemed to be inaccessible, give the mosque its name. I’m sure they’d be amazing from closer.

Blue tiles on the upper gallery wall — note the carved railing.

Blue tiles on the top of pillar.

Over all an amazing building — photo’s don’t do it justice. (I did find some better photos on wikipedia. I like this one showing two arcades of the outer courtyard)