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Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Basic information
Location Istanbul, Turkey
Geographic coordinates 41°00′19″N 28°58′37″E / 41.0053851°N 28.9768247°E / 41.0053851; 28.9768247Coordinates: 41°00′19″N 28°58′37″E / 41.0053851°N 28.9768247°E / 41.0053851; 28.9768247
Affiliation Sunni Islam
Architectural description
Architect(s) Sedefkâr Mehmed Agha
Architectural type Mosque
Architectural style Islamic, Late Classical Ottoman
Completed 1616
Specifications
Capacity 10,000
Length 73 m (240 ft)
Width 65 m (213 ft)
Dome height (outer) 43 m (141 ft)
Dome dia. (inner) 23.50 m (77.1 ft)
Minaret(s) 6
Minaret height 64 m (210 ft)
Materials
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Part of Historic Areas of Istanbul
Criteria Cultural: i, ii, iii, iv
Reference 356
Inscription 1985 (9th Session)
Istanbul-Sultan-Ahmet-Camii
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known and referred to as the Blue Mosque, from the window of the upper gallery of the Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, commonly called the Blue Mosque, is a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built between 1609 and 1616, when Ahmed I ruled the Ottoman Empire. Like with many other mosques, the founder of the mosque is buried in it. His architect, Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, decorated it like a jeweler would. There is also a madrasah and a hospice associated with the mosque. Today it is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Istanbul.

Story

According to legend day Sultan I. Ahmet wanted gold minarets on his mosque. The word for gold in Turkish is altın. Apparently this was misunderstood as alti, or six. So the mosque has six minarets.

Images for kids

  • Levni. Ottoman Ahmed I. 1703. Topkapi Saray museum.

    Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) was constructed by Husna bint Mayram on the orders of the son of "Hāndān Vālida Sultânā,"Sultan Ahmed I.

  • Inside Blue Mosque 3

    Interior view, featuring the prayer area and the main dome.

  • Blue mosque interior panorama

    Interior view

  • Blue-Mosque-Ablutions

    Ablution facilities

  • Blue Mosque Courtyard Dusk Wikimedia Commons

    Courtyard of the mosque, at dusk.

  • Blaue moschee 6minarette

    Minarets of the mosque.

  • Blue Mosque, Istanbul Turkey

    The Blue Mosque.

  • Blue mosque2

    Seen from Sultanahmet Square, close to the Hagia Sophia.

  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque 01

    Arcaded forecourt with one of the entrance gates.

  • Blekitny Meczet RB3

    Prayers inside.

  • Blue Mosque 03 2010

    Blue tiles.

  • DSC04728 Istanbul - La Moschea Blu - Foto G. Dall'Orto 29-5-2006

    Gateway to the courtyard.

  • BlueMosqueCourtyard

    View of the inner courtyard.

  • Blue Mosque Interior 2009

    Prayer area.

  • Blue Mosque Ceiling Blue Tiles

    Main dome and its blue tiles.

  • Blue Mosque Courtyard Arcades Wikimedia Commons

    Arcades in the inner courtyard.

  • Blue Mosque Interior 2 Wikimedia Commons

    The blue mosque.

  • Blue Mosque 2

    The Blue Mosque.

  • Minaret of blue mosque

    One of the minarets of the Blue Mosque.

  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque - Istanbul, 2014.10.23 (29)

    Prayer

  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey (29787419946)

    Sultan Ahmed Mosque Istanbul

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