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Blue Mosque
To Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617) fell
the honor of constructing a mosque on the plaza that could rival and
reflect the magnificence of Ayasofya. This structure is frequently
referred to as the "Blue Mosque" because of the
extraordinary tiles decorations. These tiles, whose blue tones imbue
the interior with an ethereal atmosphere, were produced in Iznik
when the industry there had achieved full maturity.
The Sultanahmet mosque is also unusual for its six minarets and it
is the only mosque in Istanbul with so many. (In Ottoman times, only
sultans and the members of their immediate families were allowed to
build mosques with multiple minarets.) The building is the work of
the architect Ahmet Aga, who adhered to the mosque-building
traditions established by the great Sinan. Construction began in
1609 and was completed in 1616. The practice of stringing up
lights between the minarets of mosques spelling out messages during
the Ramazan month of fasting was begun by Ahmed I and has since
become a custom.
(Open every day.)
The Basilica of St. Sophia, now
called the
Ayasofya Museum is
unquestionably one ot the finest buildings of all time. Built by
Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th
century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its
diameter spans 31 meters. You should linger here to absorb the
building's majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine
mosaics. (Open every day except Monday.)
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IstanbulNet
Computer, Publishing, Tourism-Travel Exp.-Imp. Co Ltd
Sultanahmet - Istanbul / TURKEY
Phone:+90 212 516 5528 Fax:+90 212 516 5487
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