Sultan Ahmed Mosque

Istanbul, Türkiye · The blue of Iznik beneath the domes of Istanbul

Known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles that adorn its interior walls, and famous for its six minarets.

Did you know?

Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I built it, and it was designed by the architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, a student of Mimar Sinan.
It has six minarets, a rare number that amazed people in its time.
More than twenty thousand ceramic tiles from Iznik adorn its interior walls, the secret behind its name, the Blue Mosque.
It is still a working mosque where the five daily prayers are held, and it welcomes visitors outside prayer times.

History and architecture

At the start of the seventeenth century, the young Sultan Ahmed I decided to build a great mosque in the heart of Istanbul, directly facing Hagia Sophia. He entrusted the task to the architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, who designed a central dome surrounded by cascading half-domes, like a chain of hills. The interior was decorated with thousands of blue ceramic tiles patterned with flowers and trees, and more than two hundred windows let natural light pour in. The building was completed in about seven years, and its complex included a school, a market, a hospital and the Sultan's tomb. To this day the mosque is one of Istanbul's most famous landmarks, combining the fragrance of worship with the wonder of visitors. The square facing it was once the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome, making the mosque part of the city's historic heart.

Founded: 1018–1026 AH / 1609–1616 CE

Religious significance

A living mosque where the five daily prayers and the Friday prayer have been held for more than four centuries.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever builds a mosque seeking the Face of Allah, Allah will build for him the like of it in Paradise” (Bukhari and Muslim).

It represents the peak of classical Ottoman architecture, uniting the dignity of worship with the beauty of Islamic art.

Visiting tips

Best time: Early in the morning before the visitors arrive, avoiding prayer times when it is closed to tourists.
Photography: From the garden between it and Hagia Sophia at sunset, when the six minarets glow.
Nearby: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet Square

Explore Islamic places in the app

Muflihin Pro brings Islamic places, the Quran, adhkar, prayer times and Qibla together in one app. Free on Google Play.

Get it on Google Play

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sultan Ahmed Mosque?

Sultan Ahmed Mosque is in Istanbul, Türkiye.

When was Sultan Ahmed Mosque founded?

1018–1026 AH / 1609–1616 CE