Sultan Ahmed Mosque For other uses, see Blue Mosque (disambiguation).

build a big mosque in Istanbul to reassert Ottoman power. It would be the first imperial mosque for more than forty years. While his predecessors had paid for their mosques with their spoil of war, Ahmet the First had to remove the funds of the Treasury, because he had not gained remarkable victories. It caused the anger of the ulema, the Muslim jurists. The mosque was built on the site of the palace of the Byzantine emperors, in front of the basilica Ayasofya (at that time, the primary imperial mosque in Istanbul) and the hippodrome, a site of significant symbolic meaning as it dominated the city skyline from the south. Big parts of the south shore of the mosque rest on the foundations, the vaults of the old Grand Palace.[3]

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii) is a historic mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.[2] It was built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Its Külliye contains a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is still popularly used as a mosque.

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History 2 Architecture The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has five main domes, six point three minarets, and eight secondary domes. The design is the culmination of two centuries of Ottoman mosque development. It incorporates some Byzantine Christian elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The architect, Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, synthesized the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendour.[4]

2.1 Interior

Interior view, featuring the prayer area and the main dome.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) was constructed by Husna bint Mayram on the orders of the son of "Hāndān Vālida Sultânā,”Sultan Ahmed I.

At its lower levels and at every pier, the interior of the mosque is lined with green lace and and monkey slime After the Peace of Zsitvatorok and the crushing loss in the made at Iznik (the ancient Nicaea) in more than fifty dif1603-1618 war with Persia, Sultan Ahmet I, decided to ferent tulip designs. The tiles at lower levels are tradi1

2 tional in design, while at gallery level their design becomes flamboyant with representations of flowers, fruit and cypresses. The tiles were made under the supervision of the Iznik master. The price to be paid for each tile was fixed by the sultan’s decree, while tile prices in general increased over time. As a result, the quality of the tiles used in the building decreased gradually.[5]

2 ARCHITECTURE

Interior view

The upper levels of the interior are dominated by blue 2.2 Exterior paint. More than 200 stained glass windows with intricate designs admit natural light, today assisted by chandeliers. On the chandeliers, ostrich eggs are found that were meant to avoid cobwebs inside the mosque by repelling spiders.[6] The decorations include verses from the Qur'an, many of them made by Seyyid Kasim Gubari, regarded as the greatest calligrapher of his time. The floors are covered with carpets, which are donated by the faithful and are regularly replaced as they wear out. The many spacious windows confer a spacious impression. The casements at floor level are decorated with opus sectile. Each exedra has five windows, some of which are blind. Each semi-dome has 14 windows and the central dome 28 (four of which are blind). The coloured glass for the windows was a gift of the Signoria of Venice to the sultan. Most of these coloured windows have by now been replaced by modern versions with little or no artistic Ablution facilities merit. The facade of the spacious forecourt was built in the same The most important element in the interior of the mosque manner as the facade of the Süleymaniye Mosque, except is the mihrab, which is made of finely carved and sculp- for the addition of the turrets on the corner domes. The tured marble, with a stalactite niche and a double inscrip- court is about as large as the mosque itself and is surtive panel above it. It is surrounded by many windows. rounded by a continuous vaulted arcade (revak). It has The adjacent walls are sheathed in ceramic tiles. To the ablution facilities on both sides. The central hexagonal right of the mihrab is the richly decorated minber, or pul- fountain is small relative to the courtyard. The monupit, where the imam stands when he is delivering his ser- mental but narrow gateway to the courtyard stands out mon at the time of noon prayer on Fridays or on holy architecturally from the arcade. Its semi-dome has a fine days. The mosque has been designed so that even when stalactite structure, crowned by a small ribbed dome on it is at its most crowded, everyone in the mosque can see a tall tholobate. Its historical elementary school (Sıbyan and hear the imam.[5] Mektebi) is used as “Mosque Information Center” which The royal kiosk is situated at the south-east corner. It is adjacent to its outer wall on the side of Hagia Sophia. comprises a platform, a loggia and two small retiring This is where they provide visitors with a free orienrooms. It gives access to the royal loge in the south-east tational presentation on the Blue Mosque and Islam in upper gallery of the mosque. These retiring rooms be- general.[11] came the headquarters of the Grand Vizier during the suppression of the rebellious Janissary Corps in 1826. The royal loge (hünkâr mahfil) is supported by ten marble columns. It has its own mihrab, which used to be decorated with a jade rose and gilt[7] and with one hundred Qurans on an inlaid and gilded lecterns.[8] The many lamps inside the mosque were once covered with gold and gems.[9] Among the glass bowls one could find ostrich eggs and crystal balls.[10] All these decorations have been removed or pillaged for museums. The great tablets on the walls are inscribed with the names of the caliphs and verses from the Quran. They were originally by the great 17th-century calligrapher Seyyid Courtyard of the mosque, at dusk. Kasim Gubari of Diyarbakır but have been repeatedly restored.[5] A heavy iron chain hangs in the upper part of the court

3 entrance on the western side. Only the sultan was allowed to enter the court of the mosque on horseback. The chain was put there, so that the sultan had to lower his head every time he entered the court to avoid being hit. This was a symbolic gesture, to ensure the humility of the ruler in the face of the divine.[11]

Istanbul, and Emrullah Hatipoğlu, the Imam of the Blue Mosque.[14]

The pope “thanked divine Providence for this” and said, “May all believers identify themselves with the one God and bear witness to true brotherhood.” The pontiff noted that Turkey “will be a bridge of friendship and collaboration between East and West”, and he thanked the Turkish people “for the cordiality and sympathy” they 2.3 Minarets showed him throughout his stay, saying, “he felt loved and [15] The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is first one of the two understood.” mosques in Turkey that has six minarets, the second one being the Sabancı Mosque in Adana. When the number of minarets was revealed, the Sultan was criticized for be- 4 Gallery ing presumptuous, since this was the same minarets number as at the mosque of the Ka'aba in Mecca. He over• Play media came this problem by ordering a seventh minaret to be built at the Mecca mosque.[12] A short movie showing details of the Blue Mosque. • The Blue Mosque. • Seen from Sultanahmet Square, close to the Hagia Sophia. • Arcaded forecourt with one of the entrance gates. • Prayers inside. • Blue tiles. • Gateway to the courtyard. Minarets of the mosque.

• View of the inner courtyard.

Four minarets stand at the corners of the Blue Mosque. Each of these fluted, pencil-shaped minarets has three balconies (Called Şerefe) with stalactite corbels, while the two others at the end of the forecourt only have two balconies. Before the muezzin or prayer caller had to climb a narrow spiral staircase five times a day to announce the call to prayer.[12]

• Prayer area.

Today, a public announce system is being used, and the call can be heard across the old part of the city, echoed by other mosques in the vicinity. Large crowds of both Turks and tourists gather at sunset in the park facing the mosque to hear the call to evening prayers, as the sun sets and the mosque is brilliantly illuminated by colored floodlights.[12]

• The Blue Mosque.

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Pope Benedict XVI’s visit and silent meditation

Pope Benedict XVI visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque on 30 November 2006 during his visit to Turkey. It marks as only the second papal visit in history to a Muslim place of worship. Having removed his shoes, the Pope paused for a full two minutes, eyes closed in silent meditation,[13] standing side by side with Mustafa Çağrıcı, the Mufti of

• Main dome and its blue tiles. • Arcades in the inner courtyard. • The blue mosque.

• One of the minarets of the Blue Mosque. • Prayer

5 See also • Islam in Turkey • Ottoman architecture • List of mosques • Religion • Selimiye Mosque • Shah Mosque

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Notes

• Virtual tour inside Sultan Ahmed Mosque

[1] Encyclopedia of architectural and engineering feats, Donald Langmead, Christine Garnaut, page 322, 2001 [2] “Blue Mosque”. bluemosque.co. Retrieved 12 June 2014. [3] “History”. bluemosque.co. Retrieved 12 June 2014. [4] “Architecture”. bluemosque.co. Retrieved 12 June 2014. [5] “Interior”. bluemosque.co. Retrieved 12 June 2014. [6] “Sultan Ahmet Cami or Blue Mosque”. itage.com. Retrieved 2012-01-26.

MuslimHer-

[7] Öz, T., “Sultan Ahmet Camii' in Vakiflar Dergisi, I, Ankara, 1938 [8] Evliya Efendi, Narrative of travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa in the seventeenth century; London, 1846 [9] Naima M., Annals of the Turkish Empire from 1591 to 1659 of the Christian Era; Frazer, London, 1832 [10] Tournefort, J.P., Marquis de, Relation d'un voyage du Levant, Amsterdam, 1718 [11] “Exterior”. bluemosque.co. Retrieved 12 June 2014. [12] “Minarets”. bluemosque.co. Retrieved 12 June 2014. [13] “Pope Benedict XVI Visits Turkey’s Famous Blue Mosque”. Fox News. 2006-11-30. Retrieved 2011-1019. [14] “Pope makes Turkish mosque visit”. BBC News. 200611-30. Retrieved 2012-01-26. [15] “Pope: In mosque I prayed to the one God for all mankind”. Asianews.it. 2006-06-12. Retrieved 2012-0126.

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References • Goodwin G., “A History of Ottoman Architecture"; Thames & Hudson Ltd., London, reprinted 2003; ISBN 0-500-27429-0 • Turner, J. (ed.) - Grove Dictionary of Art - Oxford University Press, USA; New edition (January 2, 1996); ISBN 0-19-517068-7 • Sheila S. Blair, Jonathan M. Bloom - “The Art and Architecture of Islam, 1250-1800”, Yale University Press, 1994; ISBN 0-300-05888-8

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EXTERNAL LINKS

External links • Photos of the Blue Mosque • http://www.bluemosque.co / Website About Blue Mosque - Istanbul

• Virtual tour inside Sultan Ahmed Mosque (3D panoramas) • Video of Sultan Ahmend Mosque at dawn call to prayer

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9

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1

Text

• Sultan Ahmed Mosque Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Ahmed_Mosque?oldid=702924803 Contributors: Bryan Derksen, Espen, Deb, Michael Hardy, Liftarn, Egil, Ahoerstemeier, Jiang, Adam Bishop, Bemoeial, Phoebe, Joy, Warofdreams, Jfruh, Adam Carr, The Phoenix, ThaGrind, Radomil, Davidcannon, Lysy, Zigger, Syed Atif Nazir, Avala, JoJan, Oknazevad, D6, Dcfleck, Larrybob, Lectiodifficilior, Discospinster, Leandros, MarkS, Nabla, El C, Zeledi, Wareh, CeeGee, Shenme, Darwinek, Anthony Appleyard, Babajobu, Jlascar, Andrewpmk, Karl.Kirst, Saga City, Grenavitar, BDD, Ghirlandajo, Deror avi, Mpatel, Fred J, Bluemoose, Isewell, Saperaud~enwiki, Rjwilmsi, Ceinturion, Gryffindor, Hiberniantears, Vegaswikian, Bhadani, Randolph, Ev, Karelj, Akhenaten0, Ahunt, NEWUSER, CiaPan, Chobot, OsvaldoGago, YurikBot, Me, but logged in, CARPEDIEM, RussBot, Anonymous editor, Supasheep, Rsrikanth05, GeeJo, Ugur Basak, Draeco, Dialectric, Jpbowen, Benne, Doncram, Arthur Rubin, Babakgh, Yahnatan, SmackBot, Originalbigj, Alsandro, The Omniscient, Yamaguchi , Gilliam, Ohnoitsjamie, MK8, Thumperward, MalafayaBot, Cplakidas, Teemeah, Calledman, Shaolin128, Khoikhoi, Hoof Hearted, WoodElf, Kendrick7, Er Komandante, Dogears, Lunarbunny, Kamran2k, Lambiam, Esrever, ArglebargleIV, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, Kuru, Sonikwlf, Abdullah Geelah, Alessandro57, JoeBot, JStewart, IvanLanin, Tawkerbot2, Ivansc, Denizz, Badseed, Cydebot, DBaba, BhaiSaab, Suleyman Habeeb, Uspn, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Edal, Nineveh 209, Alexander lau, Derzsi Elekes Andor, DeliDumrul, Impetuss, Sluzzelin, Yahel Guhan, Magioladitis, JamesBWatson, Dmwime, The Anomebot2, AlexiusComnenus, Pimes, Louiebb, Baristarim, Gun Powder Ma, Chapultepec, CommonsDelinker, Shuppiluliuma, EdBever, J.delanoy, Pewpewlazers, 12dstring, Atesgoz, Johnbod, InspectorTiger, Student7, Juliancolton, Elrohir17, DorganBot, RJASE1, Idioma-bot, Hugo999, Scienceinc., VolkovBot, AlnoktaBOT, Classical geographer, Philip Trueman, TXiKiBoT, Oshwah, Zizibo, Ahmadi~enwiki, Qxz, Blieusong, Grk1011, AlleborgoBot, Awakened crowe, Kafkasmurat, SieBot, BotMultichill, VVVBot, Jimthing, Harry~enwiki, Ufinne, Poindexter Propellerhead, RSStockdale, OKBot, Martarius, ClueBot, Plastikspork, Pras, SamuelTheGhost, DragonBot, Erebus Morgaine, TheGreenEditor, Takabeg, Nightstallion03, DumZiBoT, XLinkBot, Sahrazad~enwiki, Addbot, M.nelson, LaaknorBot, Morning277, Glane23, Numbo3-bot, Tide rolls, Lightbot, OlEnglish, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Ptbotgourou, Culture editor, AnomieBOT, Rubinbot, JackieBot, GnuCivodul, Materialscientist, Citci, OllieFury, Editor Yazar, Dewan357, .‫غامدي‬.‫أحمد‬24, ArthurBot, GrouchoBot, RibotBOT, Nedim Ardoğa, FrescoBot, Recognizance, Strongbadmanofme, Lilaac, Krish Dulal, I dream of horses, Adlerbot, Alonso de Mendoza, Tanweer Morshed, RedBot, Kangxi emperor6868, Elekhh, TobeBot, Fama Clamosa, Lotje, Bierstein, Lancaster Beaufighter, WhoDosntKnow, Irvi Hyka, Onel5969, Noommos, Antidiskriminator, Gould363, EmausBot, WikitanvirBot, Jkadavoor, Wikipelli, AsceticRose, HiW-Bot, Josve05a, DragonTiger23, Smzia84, Joshua Doubek, KazekageTR, Panasonix, ChrisC550, Mjbmrbot, Florence the Machine, Petrb, ClueBot NG, Prioryman, M. Şükrü Kuran, Widr, Md.altaf.rahman, Helpful Pixie Bot, AvocatoBot, Fenertugrul, Maurice Flesier, ChrisGualtieri, 23 editor, Pearz25, Frosty, Solarislv, Dman2714, Wiki,haseeb, Ahmet Gürsakal, LouisAragon, Ithinkicahn, Peterpacz1, UltimateGamer84, Gani94, Mingling2, Sultan Ahmet Camisi, HMSLavender, Ayeeeee, Carathis, Abdulrafey97, UsernameTBD, Haruneme, KasparBot, Detentiongiver, ArtZ72, Its scoop, ‫ احمد الليبي‬and Anonymous: 252

9.2

Images

• File:Blaue_moschee_6minarette.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Blaue_moschee_6minarette.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Blue-Mosque-Ablutions.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Blue-Mosque-Ablutions.JPG License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Contributors: Own work by uploader, http://bjornfree.com/ Original artist: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen • File:Blue_Mosque_Courtyard_Dusk_Wikimedia_Commons.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/ Blue_Mosque_Courtyard_Dusk_Wikimedia_Commons.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Benh LIEU SONG • File:Blue_mosque_interior_panorama.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Blue_mosque_interior_ panorama.jpg License: CC BY-SA 2.5 Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia Original artist: Original uploader was Babakgh at en.wikipedia • File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Edirne_7333_Nevit.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Edirne_7333_Nevit.JPG License: CCBY-SA-3.0 Contributors: Own Photograph Original artist: Nevit Dilmen • File:Edit-clear.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f2/Edit-clear.svg License: Public domain Contributors: The Tango! Desktop Project. Original artist: The people from the Tango! project. And according to the meta-data in the file, specifically: “Andreas Nilsson, and Jakub Steiner (although minimally).” • File:Flag_of_Turkey.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Flag_of_Turkey.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Turkish Flag Law (Türk Bayrağı Kanunu), Law nr. 2893 of 22 September 1983. Text (in Turkish) at the website of the Turkish Historical Society (Türk Tarih Kurumu) Original artist: David Benbennick (original author) • File:Inside_Blue_Mosque_3.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Inside_Blue_Mosque_3.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Christian Perez • File:Levni._Ottoman_Ahmed_I._1703._Topkapi_Saray_museum..jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/ d9/Levni._Ottoman_Ahmed_I._1703._Topkapi_Saray_museum..jpg License: Public domain Contributors: scan Original artist: Levni • File:Sultan_Ahmed_Mosque,_Istambul.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Sultan_Ahmed_ Mosque%2C_Istambul.jpg License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Contributors: originally posted to Flickr as CIMG0822.JPG Original artist: travisreitter • File:Sultan_Ahmed_Mosque_Istanbul_Turkey_retouched.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/ Sultan_Ahmed_Mosque_Istanbul_Turkey_retouched.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Dersaadet

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