General Information
Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) is a mosque that is situated in Istanbul, Turkey. The mosque is named after Sultan Ahmet I who ordered the mosque to be built in 1609, the mosque was completed and opened in 1616 and has since been a popular place of worship for Muslims. The mosque contains the tomb of Ahmet as well as a madarash and a hospice. The mosque is known as the blue mosque due to the hand painted blue tiles that feature on the walls inside the mosque and the blue lights that shine on the mosque at night. The mosque has an interesting architectural style that features five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes.
Getting there
The T1 tram stops close to the mosque at the ‘Sultanahmet’ stop. The T2B bus also stops close by. The other transport option for getting to the mosque is to take a taxi.
Opening Times and Admission
The mosque is open daily but closes five times a day for 90 minutes for prayers. The mosque is free to visit although donations are welcomed. Visitors should respect the rules of the mosque as it is a place of worship first and foremost.