Photo. The Blue Mosque - Sultan Ahmed Mosque - graceful, grand, and timeless.
It`s known as the Blue Mosque due to the blue tiles that adorn the walls of the interior of the Mosque. It was constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I and remains a functioning mosque today. This masterpiece of Ottoman architecture has undergone a powerful renewal. While its domes and minarets are beautifully restored, its spirit remains unshaken. Beauty like this doesn’t fade - it evolves.
The mosque was built next to the former Hippodrome and stands across from another amazing building, the Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1985 under the name of "Historic Areas of Istanbul" (based on information about the Blue Mosque in Istanbul on Wikipedia).
Designed by Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, student of the great Mimar Sinan, the Blue Mosque rose as more than a place of worship - it became a symbol of Ottoman strength and devotion. A legacy built to inspire for centuries. History lives here. And when I visited the Blue Mosque in May 2023, I think it shone brighter than ever. The Blue Mosque has still its stunning blue tiles, six minarets, and intricate decorative elements.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reopened Istanbul’s Blue Mosque Friday 21st April 2023 after five years of it being closed for restoration. The reopening was not only a big deal because of the sheer historical significance of the place, but also because Friday 21st April was the first day of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan Bayram, also known as Eid al-Fitr.
Once I stepped inside, I could admire the splendid Ottoman architecture, which includes colourful glass windows and decorative tiling. Took my time to experience the peace and tranquillity, whilst I watched worshippers prayed and chanted verses from the Qur’an and Islamic poetry.
Standing beneath the Blue Mosque soaring domes, I felt the weight of history and the wonder of beauty all at once - an experience I'll carry with me forever. This is more than a monument - it's a living soul of the city, being restored for eternity.
Stein Morten Lund, May 2023
Additional information
The Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii), is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. Read more about the Blue Mosque on Wikipedia.
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