Ever since visiting the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, Spain, when I was 16, I’ve had a serious soft spot for Arabic or Moorish architecture. I find myself fawning over the horseshoe arches, the intricate, geometric patterns, the swooping Arabic calligraphy… and there’s no better place to bask in the beauty of Arabic architecture than at Istanbul’s Blue Mosque.
As I had been harassing my poor cousin to see every tourist site in Istanbul, Suzy nonchalantly advised me not to go into the Blue Mosque. “Seriously, it’s just blue tiles,” she told me with a whiff of her hand.
And I love you cuz, my in this itty-bitty instance I’m pretty glad I didn’t heed your advice.
The Blue Mosque is not nearly as old as the Hagia Sofia, Istanbul’s world-famous church turned mosque turned museum. (Which is laughable because Blue Mosque construction started in 1609. You know, as in before my country was a country.)
One of the things that surprised my most about Istanbul was by how secular it is: most women don’t wear hijabs, alcohol is drunk freely and despite hearing the call of prayer throughout the day, my cousin’s Istanbul-born boyfriend remarked, “You hear the call to prayer but the mosques are empty.”
Well this mosque was certainly not empty, and when I first entered I whispered, “Oh my God.”
Which I quickly retracted and instead breathed, “Wow.”
And then I saw firsthand where the blue mosque gets its namesake- from the thousands of hand-made, bright blue tiles covering the walls.
And while the Blue Mosque is now certainly a tourist attraction, it is still a working mosque, which is why everyone took off their shoes and some were silently praying.
Which is also why, um, this happened. Not my best look, eh?
And though normally I’d wrap this up the a tidy little ending, in this case I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. The mosque was quiet, holy and memorably beautiful. It felt like a very sacred place.
Have you ever been visited the Blue Mosque?
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Ah it looks so nice! I didn’t have time to visit the Blue Mosque whilst I was in Istanbul as I was only there on a short stopover… But it just means I have a reason to go back (a reason that has been strengthened by seeing your photos!)
Lizzie recently posted..Weekend Wanders: A Cottage in the Countryside
Thanks, Lizzie! I’m really glad I got to see it in my short time there.
I was at the Blue Mosque in October and it was stunning. It took me three trips there before I understood the prayer schedule. No guests allowed at that time.
While both amazing. Hagia Sofia blew me away. I also did a Hamam at the one between the two sites.
Shaun recently posted..Travel Can Be Dangerous
Oh I totally wanted to do a Hamam! Lucky you. Ah well, one more reason to return to Turkey :)
I was in Turkey last spring and it is a magical place. The tiles in the Blue Mosque are amazing and the Hagia Sophia is stunning. I found the call to prayer made me realize that I really was in a different land.
Thanks for the great pictures.
Dena Barrie recently posted..A week in Germany…
I loved the call to prayer too, it was so exotic and beautiful. Glad you liked the post, Dena!
Gorgeous! Although I have seen way too little Arabic and Moorish architecture with my own eyes so far, I’m always amazed by all these forms and colors! Incredibly beautiful!
Julika recently posted..Picturesque Monday: Adorable Augsburg
You would’ve loved it, Julika! It was incredibly beautiful, especially for an art historian.
Gorgeous photos, Ashley. The Blue Mosque was the first working mosque I ever went into and I just thought it was the most beautiful, peaceful place :)
Caitlyn recently posted..KOTO, our selfish good deed
I think it actually may have been the first working mosque I’ve ever been to… I have to say I really enjoyed it as well!
It is beautiful, and I’m so glad you went. You really would have missed a jewel.
Love, Gamma
Have you been there as well, Gamma? Of course you have!! Love, Ashley
You pulled off the look way better than I! It really was an amazing place, and the years it was done seriously boggles my mind. I wish the detailing and meaning of structures today were like hundreds of years ago!
I agree! I think it’s especially bad in the states when we tear things down all the time without considering repairing them. Such a waste!
I love the picture of people without shoes praying beneath the low-hanging lights. The red carpet with the blue hue coming through the windows is gorgeous! Istanbul is now officially on my unofficial list (if it ever existed) :D
Vanessa @ Sauteed Happy Family recently posted..The Day We Met The Kindest Polish Person
Aw, thank you! And definitely try to make it to Istanbul, it’s truly incredible.
I also feel in love with Moorish architecture in Granada! I would love to make it to see the Hagia Sophia. Ever since I did a presentation on it for an Art History course in college, I’ve wanted to see it in real life. I feel as though pictures can only do it so much justice, as its something you truly have to experience in person.
Mike recently posted..Applying to the Auxiliar de Conversación Program
It is definitely something you have to see in person… highly recommended :)
I’m in love with this place!
Agness recently posted..5 Reasons Why Oslo Did NOT Live Up To My Expectations
I was too :)