Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation, Malaysia

Monday, December 6, 2010

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul

My very first impression when we saw Istanbul's Blue Mosque was how magnificent and incredibly massive it was. We caught our first glimpse of the mosque a few years ago but it was a brief visit and I didn't manage to take too many pictures due to time constraints. Nevertheless, I was so delighted to have had the opportunity to visit it again this year and had a great time taking even better pictures with our DSLR camera.


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For those of you who have been following this blog for a while, you must have already seen a few shots of the Blue Mosque in my previous post but I haven't include any shots of the interior, so here are more photos and details of the mosque.


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The official name for the Blue Mosque is the Sultanahmet Mosque, named after Sultan Ahmed I, which was built between 1610 and 1617. These days, it's more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque. The name comes from the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. More specifically, the interior was decorated with more than 20,000 shimmering blue-green Iznik tiles with more than 50 different patterns, calligraphy and the domes are so beautifully tiled with delicate geometric designs.


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I also noticed hundreds of stunning stained-glass windows with various designs that were a sight to behold as the sunlight cast through them, showcasing their beauty. Apart from that, the floors were covered with lush carpets, and high above I saw many ornate chandeliers. It's a refreshing change from the ornamental cathedrals of most European cities I've encountered.


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I found that people of all faiths are welcome provided that they are appropriately dressed. Apparently, no shorts above the knees or bare arms and you need to remove your shoes prior to entry. Plastic bags are provided to carry your shoes in. I used my shawl to cover my head but later found out the head covering of a non-Muslim wasn't required.


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While the interior should not be missed, the outer courtyard is equally impressive too as this give you one of the splendid views of the cascading domes and the amazing architecture.


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One of the six minarets that stands majestically against the blue sky and as far as I could tell, this is the only one mosque with six minarets in Turkey.


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The Blue mosque is beautifully lit up at night. I find it amazing to be able to see both day and night.

That concludes our visit to the Blue Mosque. The outside is spectacular and the inside awe inspiring. It is well worth the visit. On the plus side there is no entry charge but donations are most welcome.

The mosque is open between 9am-6pm daily, except for praying times lasting about half an hour, five times per day and mid-day on Fridays.

Ruby Tuesday

That's My World

45 comments:

  1. It seems we are visitng the same places, Life Ramblings :) Wonderful pictures of the interior. I have to admit mine are not so good. I enjoyed your reportage.

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  2. Thank you for sharing this collection of photos, it is in deed a beautiful building.

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  3. This is an incredible post. Thanks for sharing your photos and experience.

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  4. Glorious visit!





    Aloha from Waikiki

    Comfort Spiral

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  5. It's truely a massive structure very overpowering on the outside and visual on the inside it's a feast for the eyes with different shades of colour. Fantastic photos once again i could never take photos like these totally hopeless i am.

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  6. Beautiful and intricate architecture. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. That place is FABULOUS.... I really enjoyed seeing pictures and reading about the mosque.. It is just awesome --in every respect. Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. Beautiful monument. The interiors are fabulous.

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  9. Wow... truly amazing mosque ! thanks for sharing.

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  10. Wonderful series: I also like the interior.

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  11. I loved this city too! Totally unique.

    Lola:)

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  12. Your photos of the mosque are beautiful. This certainly is an exquisite building. Thank you for taking us with you when you visited.

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  13. It's indeed a beautiful building ! I have seen it 3 years ago on a roundtrip, but next year I want to spend one week in Istambul, I liked this town so much !

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  14. What an enchanting place! A travel musts!

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  15. Wow wow wow..So beautiful..Did you feel the 'vibration' while inside? Bananaz is shaking now. tQ

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  16. it's magnificent! and you took some great shots. the night shot is enchanting!

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  17. Your photos are fabulous! Thanks for sharing this beautiful mosque with us.

    My RUBY link.

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  18. What an incredible series of photos! And what a breathtakingly beautiful place! I think one of the real joys of blogging is being able to see so many places one would never have the opportunity to see. I've traveled a great deal, but there are so many, many places I haven't seen and photos like yours are the very next best thing to being there myself! Thanks for the beauty! Have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  19. These photos are just spectacular. Have you any photos of the Hagia Sofia as that's my favourite building in all of Istanbul.

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  20. Arabian Knights came to mind when seeing your lovely photos, especially of the towers lit up at night. Thank you for sharing your magical experience. I also love how a seagull found its way in your photo of one of the six minarets. :)

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  21. And it is a fascinating world too. I am really enjoying all of these shots. They are just fantastic.

    http://shinade.blogspot.com/2010/12/ruby-tuesday-sergeant-wright-dr-wright.html

    Happy RT!
    Jackie:-)

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  22. Thank you for visiting my blog.

    Istanbul to be a very beautiful city! Wonderful photos you have here.

    Cheers.
    Kisses.

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  23. Great photos, that looks like a must-see. Istanbul is near the top of my list of cities I'd love to visit.

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  24. beautiful set of shots! its been over 15 years since I was there. really brings back some memories

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  25. Wonderful pictures and very nice descriptions. I have traveled quite a bit, but have not made it to Turkey yet. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. Superb photo essay . I have always wanted to see Istanbul for myself, or better still, Constantinople but one cannot go back in time. At least I got to see some of its wonders through your lens.

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  27. the mosque was a grand picturesque at daylight and transforms into a majestic and somewhat magical edifice at night!

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  28. ah...one of the places I really would like to see someday. You're really lucky to visit it twice and was even able to take some pictures of its interiors. Great shots! Love them!

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  29. A fabulous structure and your photographs are superb, thanks for sharing.

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  30. So very beautiful!!!!


    My link to my Ruby Tuesdays is... POINSETTIA 'TWISTED'

    Do stop by when you get a chance!! Happy Tuesday.

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  31. I would love to visit there
    what an amazing place
    beautiful photos

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  32. wow very nice pics! i thought u were using ur DSLR camera :)

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  33. Hey sweetie! Dropping by on a rainy Wed...brrrr... :)

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  34. The interior is as magnificent as the outside, wow!

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  35. The only one with 6 minarets eh? It sure looks huge...

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  36. I like the pic with the solitary bird... is that one of the pics u've posted before cause it seems familiar... :)

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  37. It's so gorgeous! I would love to visit it one day.

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  38. Architecture in the olden days amaze me so much. It's so ornate and detailed, too far from modern architecture.

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  39. Wow!!! What an incredible place! It is as beautiful as the Alhambra Palace if not more. Wow. Truly beautiful photos!

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