Turkey is one of the best destinations of the world, and a haven or paradise for any kind of traveler with the city of Istanbul at the forefront of its tourism specialities. Millions of people visit Istanbul every year for its wonderful attractions, cuisines, and culture that offer something for all kinds of travelers. And one of its most famous destinations is the iconic Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey, whose interior dazzles visitors with its mesmerizing views on their first trip.
Considered by some as one of the symbols of Istanbul, one will find their visit to this fascinating place a trip rooted in wonderful history and fascinating culture. In this blog ,we’ll be going over the Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey’s fascinating overview including its history, significance, travel details and best time to visit, to make your visit to this gem in Istanbul a more comfortable journey.
An Overview of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey is Istanbul’s most famous place after Hagia Sophia, and has its own fair share of history and culture attached to it. An architectural feat of the Ottoman Istanbul era, its significance and history is a completely different world. Here are some questions about about the Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey one should know the answers to before traveling to this architectural gem:
Where is the Blue Mosque located in Istanbul?
The Blue Mosque is located in Fatih district or the old Constantinople, and is right across the Hagia Sophia, another famous tourist site in Istanbul. It was built right beside the old Hippodrome of Istanbul, with the mosque having such a substantial and large build that allows the Blue Mosque to occupy the skyline of Istanbul.
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When was the Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey built?
One of the symbols of Istanbul in the Ottoman era of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque was built in 1617 by the orders of Sultan Ahmed the first. Construction was started 1609 under the supervision of the famous architect Mimar Sinan’s student Mehmet Agha. It was originally built to seek divine victory after a loss by the Sultan in Europe.
What is the Blue Mosque’s importance?
It is a major Islamic religious site that reflects the presence and foothold of the religion in the city. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey is a bastion of the Ottoman era in the city reflecting the wealth of the Ottoman Empire and its famous advancement in architecture at that time. Millions of tourists visit every year to see this site which holds significance in Turkey as a religious site and a feat of the former Ottoman Empire and internationally by its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Why was the Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey built?
It was built on the orders of Sultan Ahmed the first to seek divine(God) favor after incurring a loss during the war with the Safavids. Apart from this issue, it is speculated that he wanted to show the empire‘s grandeur and restore Ottoman morale after a series of losses.
What are the Blue Mosque’s Entry Fees?
The mosque is totally free to visit at all times. This makes visiting the Blue Mosque, a must-try activity for tourists visiting Istanbul on a budget.
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What are the Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey’s Opening Hours?
The mosque is open for tourists from 9 AM in the morning to 6 PM in the evening. The mosque regularly closes to tourists at various times of the day for prayers at different intervals to accommodate both the visitors and the worshippers.
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What are the Blue Mosque’s Prayer Times?
The mosque’s prayer times vary at different times of the year due to the changes in the length of the day and night that affects regular prayers at the mosque. However here are the latest figures of the prayer times.
Fajr: 5:53 AM
Dhuhr:12:48 PM
Asr: 3:45 PM
Maghrib: 6:11 PM
Isha:7:43 PM
(Latest prayer times as shown on Google on 23 October 2024)
What is the best time to visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey?
Generally, one should visit the Blue Mosque in the mornings of Monday to Friday (weekdays), to avoid crowds and ensure a private and fulfilling experience for tourists, while exploring the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.
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The Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey: A Bastion of The Ottoman Istanbul
Visiting Istanbul and not going to the Blue Mosque there on a trip to Turkey is like a human missing a day not eating food. Its importance today and in the Ottoman era cannot be understated anyhow, with the Blue Mosque in Istanbul Turkey occupying a special status in the city along with the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Whether it’s the fascinating blue interior or the very Hagia-Sophia like exterior with the six domes, a trip to the Blue Mosque is a special experience for all kinds of travelers.
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