Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

The Blue Mosque, officially known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque, represents the pinnacle
of Ottoman architecture and remains one of Istanbul's most photographed landmarks. Built between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Ahmed I, the mosque earned its popular name from the stunning blue Iznik tiles that adorn its interior walls. The mosque's six minarets make it unique among Ottoman mosques, as traditionally only the mosque in Mecca had six minarets until this construction.

The interior of the Blue Mosque is equally impressive, featuring a cascade of domes and semi-domes that create a sense of weightless space. More than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles in various tulip designs decorate the interior, while 200 stained glass windows allow natural light to illuminate the prayer hall. The mosque can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers and remains an active place of worship. Visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, but must dress modestly and remove shoes before entering. The mosque's courtyard, surrounded by a continuous colonnade, is as large as the mosque itself and features a hexagonal fountain at its center.