Sultanahmet Mosque
Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, was built by Sultan Ahmet between 1609-1616. Sultanahmet is one of the most famous Ottoman constructions. The Mosque overlooks Istanbul from the Historical Peninsula. Only 200 meters away from the Byzantine Church Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet is located in the middle of many pre-Ottoman constructions. On the other hand only 300 meters to the Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet was the Imperial Center of the Ottoman Empire. Being the first mosque originally built with 6 minarets, Sultanahmet was built in a complex with other constructions like a tomb for Sultan Ahmet, a hospital, schools, the Grand Bazaar, Turkish bath and a caravansaray.
The mosque was named as "the blue mosque" by foreigners because of the color of the domes. Before Islam, Turks were "shaman" meaning that they worshiped the sky. Since the sky is blue, blue has been used extensively in Turkish art. The dome was made blue to resemble the feeling of looking to the endless sky. It is the only mosque in the world that has 6 minaret's.
With 3 entrances, Sultanahmet is covered with over 20,000 Iznik ceramics. As all the mosques the ground is covered with carpets. Illuminated with 260 windows, Sultanahmet's great dome is 24 meters in diameter and 44 meters in height. The most important element of the Sultanahmet Mosque is the "mihrap" (a niche in the mosque wall indicating the direction of the holy city of Mecca).
Many boutique hotels and restaurants are centered in the Sultanahmet Region in Istanbul. About 1 kilometers away, you can visit the traditional shopping center of Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar, close to the coastline of the Golden Horn.