Sultanahmet Blue Mosque

Built by Sultan Ahmet I from 1609 to 1616, it is still used as a Muslim Mosque today. It is closed 5 times a day for ezan, the daily prayers.  The exact time of ezan changes each day due to the rotation around the sun. Islamic prayer times are not set by clocks but traditionally set according to the movement of the sun. Dawn, before the sun appears; at midday; afternoon; at dusk; when last light of day has disappeared.

The Blue Mosque was named because of the 20,000 Iznik blue tiles surrounding the walls of the interior.  This mosque was designed by Mimar Sinan and was his masterpiece, one of the highest achievements of Islamic architecture. It’s minarettes and cascading domes dominate the skyline of Istanbul.

This close-up of the dome shows the Arabic writing of Islamic prayers and the traditonal blue designs of the Iznik tiles.

Blue Mosque Dome