Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
In addition to its imposing appearance, The Blue Mosque, being the first mosque with 6 minarets, is also distinguished from its peers by many other features. It was built by Architect Mehmet Aga on the orders of one of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, Ahmet I.. Sultan Ahmet said that he wanted to build this mosque to thank God. When the purpose of building the mosque was different from the others, the place was carefully taken care of. Despite many places, Sultan Ahmet stated that he wanted to have the mosque built in Ayşe Sultan Palace. The reasons why he chose this place are; the fact that the palace overlooks the sea, the area where it is located is quite large, it is close to the Topkapi Palace and the surrounding area is calm. However, the only problem here was the presence of the Ayşe Sultan Palace. Sultan Ahmet wanted this place very much and bought it from Ayşe Sultan, the owner of the palace, against gold.
After the Ayşe Sultan Palace was bought, Sultan Ahmet brought Mehmet Aga, the most famous architect of the era, a student of Architect Sinan. Sultan Ahmet said that he wanted to build a mosque that would look even more magnificent than them in the area where Hagia Sophia and the Suleymaniye Mosque are also located. On top of that, Architect Mehmet Aga drew a project in accordance with the Sultan's wishes. Sultan Ahmet liked the project drawn and the foundation stone was laid on a Thursday in the 1609 year. Moreover, Sultan Ahmet started laying the foundation first. Evliya Çelebi was there the day the construction of the mosque was started. Evliya Celebi says for those moments: "The sentence master architect and engineers gathered and began to dig up the essence with the prayers of Mahmut Efendi of Uskudar and adept Evliya Efendi, our master. First, Sultan Ahmed Khan filled the soil on his skirt and said,'' O God! Ahmed is the service of his servant'', and carried the land from the foundation together with the deeds”.
The Blue Mosque, construction started in 1609, was completed in 1616. Banquets were given together with Sultan Ahmet and the invited guests and the opening ceremony was held. The only place with 6 minarets at that time was Mecca. When the construction of the Blue Mosque as a 6 minaret was met with a reaction by the Islamic world, Sultan Ahmet built another minaret in Mecca and managed to please the entire Islamic world.
Features of the Magnificent Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmet Mosque , also known as the “Blue Mosque” by tourists because it uses 20,000 Iznik Ceramics, consists of 6 minarets , 4 semidomes and 11 quarterdomes, a square shaped marble courtyard with 30 cuppolas and 26 coloumns.There is a beautiful fauntain in the middle of the courtyard with an early taste of baroqoue. The mosque, which was designed by blending with the ideas of architect Sinan, is known as one of the best examples of classical architecture era of Ottoman Empire. There are more than 200 windows (most above human level with stainglasses) in the Blue Mosque, where hundreds of flowers, fruits, cypresses, and especially tulip motifs are used in the ceramics .Beautiful examples of mother of pearl works on the shutters and doors, some of the best examples of calligraphy works in the domes and colorful ceiling designs gives you an enriched example of ottoman building ornaments collection,altouh the original carpets on the floor are museum pieces today.
Iron chains were hung on the western and southern gates of the mosque garden for Sultan Ahmet, who said that he built this mosque to thank God. Sultan Ahmet entered the mosque with his horse through these gates. He bowed his head down every time to avoid hitting the iron chain. It is said that one of the meanings of bowing his head is to show his respect for God and to express his thanks. With all its splendor, the Blue Mosque continues to be one of the magnificent places that should not be missed on Istanbul tours today.