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My Escapes Turkey Istanbul Short Stay in Istanbul The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque
You can't visit the Hagia Sophia without noticing the grandiose Blue Mosque just across the green park area.
In fact, it is a much larger mosque with 6 minarets and still in use for religious ceremonies.
The real name is Sultan Ahmed Mosque, but due to the abundance of blue-coloured tiles (both outside and inside), it's also known as The Blue Mosque. In fact, Westerners use this latter name more frequently.
It was built between 1609-1616.
Hosts 10,000 and it 43 m high (240 ft), has 6 minarets (each having 64 m or 210 ft).
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The timing of this visit to the Blue Mosque wasn't the best, because a crowd was preparing for prayer. Respecting the traditions, I stopped photographing and left the area.
A large crowd of people were washing their feet and hands before entering for the prayers. This is where you can also find a number of toilets.
The Blue Mosque was built under the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. and it contains a madrasa (school), the founder's tomb and a hospice.
Following major losses in wars with the Persians, Sultan Ahmed I. ordered the construction of this mosque in order to determine God to help him.
About the Author:
Escape Hunter, the young solo traveler in his early 30's explores the World driven by curiosity, thirst for adventure, deep passion for beauty, love for freedom and diversity.
With a nuanced, even humorous approach to travel, an obsession for art and design, Escape Hunter prefers to travel slowly, in order to learn and "soak up" the local atmosphere...
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What a beautiful sight, isn't it?