The Blue Mosque in Istanbu

Located on a penninsula in the Bosphorus Straight, the Blue Mosque (The Sultan Ahmed Mosque) in Istanbul, Turkey is one of the largest mosques in the world. It stands across the way from Hagia Sophia, which is now used as a national museum - but also used to be a mosque as well as a church.

My wife and I had the pleasure of touring the Blue Mosque, as we were staying in a hotel just a few blocks from the mosque, this past September on a trip to Istanbul. The Blue Mosque is a huge tourist attraction - even though it is still an active mosque. Tourists are not allowed in the Mosque during prayer times.

On our first attempt to see the Blue Mosque we arrived at one of the prayer times and were standing outside. A friendly local struck up a conversation with us and offered to take our picture. Ever the tourists, we obliged and got a great photo of us in front of the mosque. We then proceeded to talk some more with the local - who then led us to his carpet shop - which turned out to be an experience similar to that of buying a used car here in the states. It was interesting and fun to see the process - though we were both laughing and kicking ourselves for being such 'tourists' as we left the shop. So when somebody warns you about Turkish carpet salesmen - believe them!

Later in the day we got a chance to tour the Blue Mosque. When you approach the mosque from the main entrance - tourists are actually diverted to a back entrance. Only worshipers are allowed in the main entrance. Upon arriving at the back entrance, you can grab a plastic baggie for your shoes - as you are not allowed to wear them in the mosque.

The architecture of the mosque is impressive to say the least. The dome is huge - it's like standing in a huge cavern. It feels somewhat like standing in the middle of the floor of a huge stadium, though the walls and architecture are much more impressive in the Blue Mosque as they are adorned with really intricate paintings and mosaics.

The Blue Mosque is called the 'Blue Mosque' because of the thousands of handmade ceramic, blue tiles that cover its walls. There are huge, gigantic chandeliers that alone are impressive - but standing in the middle of the mosque makes you feel small. What's interesting is that the whole time that you are snapping pictures and admiring the architecture - there are hundreds of people praying and worshiping in the mosque.

An interesting fact about the Blue Mosque is that it has six minarets - the spires that surround the mosque. At the time of it's building - this was a huge controversy because Mecca - the Muslim holy place also had six minarets. The Sultan actually paid to have a seventh minaret built at Mecca so that it wouldn't seem like he was trying to outdo the Muslim holy site.

Just below the mosque, near the water, there is a bazaar - smaller than the Grand Bazaar a few blocks away - but generally not as crowded and with lots of great items to peruse and barter for.

We had a great time in Istanbul. The people were fantastic and very hospitable - and the sights, like the Blue Mosque, were impressive - and like nothing you'll see here in the states.