Who Built the Blue Mosque?

The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I, who ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1603 to 1617. Unlike most large-scale projects of the time, which were funded by war spoils, Sultan Ahmet financed the mosque using treasury funds, as the Ottomans had not recently won a major war. This decision sparked significant controversy during the mosque's construction.

Why Was the Blue Mosque Built?

In her book Mosques: Splendors of Islam, scholar Renata Holod compares the competition of architectural feats across history: “Today, skyscrapers like the Empire State Building in New York and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai vie for global prominence. Similarly, in the pre-modern era, domes constructed in the Mediterranean and West/South Asia competed with those of their time and those that came before them.” The Blue Mosque was built as a testament to Ottoman architectural ambition, reflecting this tradition of surpassing past achievements.

Such reasoning may undoubtedly be extended to the rationale behind the construction of Istanbul's Blue Mosque. Sultan Ahmet I was motivated by his ambition to construct an imperial mosque in the Ottoman style that would surpass the Hagia Sophia Mosque. The Byzantine-styled Hagia Sophia was originally constructed as a church over a millennium before Ahmet I's rule. Naturally, the Sultan desired an Ottoman-style house of worship, which made sense because the area was then ruled by the Ottoman Empire. Visitors may now readily observe the visual distinction between these two types by visiting both, which are less than a five-minute walk away.

The Blue Mosque is now regarded as one of Istanbul's top tourist destinations and is essential to the city's overall identity. The Blue Mosque is "one of the most important symbols of Istanbul," according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the Middle East Monitor.

When Was the Blue Mosque Built?

Construction of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul began in 1609 and was completed in 1617. Over the more than 400 years since its completion, the mosque has undergone several restoration projects. The most recent restoration finished in 2023, following a five-year process during which the mosque was partially open to tourists and worshippers, except for a five-month period of complete closure.

Blue Mosque Design and Architecture

Designed by architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, the Blue Mosque features a central dome surrounded by eight smaller domes and six minarets—tall towers from which the call to prayer is announced. The mosque’s perfect symmetry gives it the appearance of one large dome or hill-like structure from the outside.

Sedefkar Mehmed Agha was chosen by Sultan Ahmet I for this monumental project due to his experience working under Mimar Sinan, the renowned Ottoman architect who designed the Süleymaniye Mosque for Suleiman the Magnificent, the 10th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Architectural similarities between the two mosques are evident, as both feature a cluster of domes and semi-domes surrounding a central dome, creating a beautifully carved interior space.

Since most mosques have four minarets, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque's decision to build six aroused outrage. The Great Mosque of Mecca was the only mosque with so many. To appease people who were outraged by the Sultan Ahmet Mosque's six minarets, Sultan Ahmet constructed a seventh minaret to the Great Mosque.

The Blue Mosque Interior Design

As its name suggests, the Blue Mosque features an abundance of azure tiles throughout its interior. Around 20,000 tiles cover the walls, arches, and ceilings in a variety of colors, including white, red, green, brown, and blue. These intricate mosaics showcase beautiful patterns of leaves, geometric shapes, tulips, and other flowers. Many of these tiles were recycled from 16th-century palaces that once stood on the mosque’s site, as noted in Mosques: Splendors of Islam.

Above, the domes and semi-domes are adorned with painted and gilded patterns, matching the color scheme below. In addition, verses from the Quran are elegantly displayed on the walls in Arabic calligraphy. The mosque’s stained glass windows allow colored light to filter into the space, enhancing the vibrant, multi-colored atmosphere.

The Blue Mosque’s Minbar and Carpet Design

The minbar, or raised platform from which the imam delivers the sermon (khutba), is one of the most intricate features of the Blue Mosque. Its design reflects the mosque's architecture, with a canopy topped by a pencil-thin spire that mirrors the iconic minarets of Ottoman design, as described in Mosques: Splendors of Islam by Fatima Quraishi and Matthew Saba.

While visitors are often captivated by the towering domes above, the flooring also commands attention. The mosque’s floors are covered with wall-to-wall carpet, essential for prayer. The carpet features a red base with a blue and cream floral pattern, similar to the tile designs seen on parts of the ceiling. According to the Istanbul Insider, these carpets are regularly replaced as they wear out.

Visiting the Blue Mosque

As an active place of worship, the Blue Mosque has specific rules for visitors that differ from other architectural sites. There is a dress code to respect the mosque’s sacred space: all visitors, regardless of gender, should wear shirts that cover the shoulders and pants or skirts that cover the knees. Women are required to wear a headscarf.

Additionally, all visitors must remove their shoes before entering the mosque. It’s recommended to bring a plastic bag or something similar to carry your shoes, so you can comfortably explore the mosque without having to worry about carrying them around.

Is the Blue Mosque free?