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Mosques Around the World: The Blue Mosque, Turkey

by in Culture & Lifestyle on 22nd December, 2017

The diversity of Islam can be seen in our beautiful architecture and places of worship around the world; this week we are looking at the majestic and historical Blue mosque of Istanbul, Turkey.


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Here are five facts about the Blue Mosque:

  • The official name of the mosque is actually the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, but because of the blue aesthetic of the mosque, it is commonly known as the Blue Mosque.
  • It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Ahmed I. The mosque also inherits its name from him.
  • It was built on the site of the palace of the Byzantine emperors and contains; the tomb of Ahmed I, a madrasah and hospice.
  • There are over 200 stained glass windows to let in natural light.
  • It has 5 main domes, 8 secondary domes, and 6 minarets, and is considered the last great mosque of the classical period.
Israa Abid

Israa Abid

Israa is a Creative writing and English literature graduate, and currently volunteers for a few charities. In between her routine of nerding out over Dungeons and Dragons, and obsessively eating strawberries, she spends her time writing as much as she can.