Mosques Of Istanbul
What Empire State does to New York's Skyline, mosques do to Istanbul's. Hagia Sophia and The New Mosque silhouette against a breezy orange sunset, an iconic view that we were warned of. A walk from Beyoglu across the Galata Bridge and into Sultanahmet was a good way to witness the grandeur of the old city, against the several fishing lines popped over the bridge, not to miss the kids taking a dive in to the Bosphorous. It was a moment to stop and soak in.
Hagia Sophia
There are probably more than a thousand mosques in Istanbul, but some are on every traveler's wish list. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque stand opposite each other and can be conveniently visited in one day. Hagia Sophia looks like fortress and its true beauty can be seen only once you step in. A true amalgamation of the East and the West, it was first built as a Church during the Roman empire and later converted to a mosque by the Ottomans. Now that it is a museum with many murals restored, it provides a perfect glimpse of how it would have looked during the reigns of the Romans and the Ottomans.
Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine architectural gem is one of the must see places in Istanbul.
Chandeliers greet visitors in the corridor near the main entrance. The ceilings are intricately hand painted in blue, yellow along with gold mosaics.
A restored mural of Jesus Christ along with names of various Prophets adorn the walls of Hagia Sophia.
We hired a guide who not only explained the architectural nuances but also the cultural changes that this place saw. He touched upon the interesting similarities between two religions and how the space was adapted to be used as a mosque.
View from the upper level. 'Angels' in the upper left corner were covered with paint during the Ottoman period are now being restored along with several other mosaics from that period.
Blue Mosque
Blue is short walk across the Hagia Sophia and is a working mosque. This means that one cannot visit during prayer times. Each prayer time lasts for half hour and takes place five times a day. A conservative dress code is recommended however the mosque provides cover ups in case needed.
The story goes that Sultan Ahmet wanted to build a grand mosque to show his power and to counter the Byzantine Hagia Sophia across. The emperor hadn't won any significant war and the construction of the mosque was funded from the treasury much to the displeasure of the scholars.
Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Cami is a short walk from Hagia Sophia.
Interiors of the Blue Mosque are adorned with Iznik tiles with several tulip designs.
A wider view of the Blue Mosque during a non prayer time. There is a separate entrance and section for visitors.
New Mosque
The New Mosque or Yenni Cami sits on the edge of Eminou on the Golden Horn. From the outside it doesn't look as majestic as the Blue Mosque and that is for a reason. The mosque was originally commissioned by Queen Mother of Sultan Mehmet III, but soon after his death, she was powerless and the mosque's construction was halted. It was again rebuilt centuries later and thus get its name.
One of the non-touristy mosques in Sultanahmet, Yeni Cami is as beautiful and peaceful as one of the imperial mosques. It is also a good pit stop on the way to the Spice Bazaar.
Domes of the Yeni Cami
Since the mosque's construction was abandoned for a few centuries, the tiles used later for of lesser quality compared to the grand Blue Mosque.
Old Mosque
Old Mosque or the Sulemaniye Cami is perched on one of the seven hills that spans Istanbul. It is very distinctive from other imperial mosques and one thing that stands out as you enter is its simplicity. Unlike the Blue Mosque, it has limited Iznik tiles and instead has more hand painted motifs and medallions.
A wide shot of the Old Mosque.
Magnanimous and airy interiors with simple hand painted motifs.
A walk through the gardens of the old mosque provide expansive views of the Bosphorous.