Istanbul, Turkey: The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
The Blue Mosque (original name is Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is perhaps the most popular mosque in Istanbul. This is also the only mosque that I have visited inside. I was able to visit the other famous mosque—Yeni Cami Mosque just off the Galata Bridge but I didn’t go in. I was intrigued with the Blue Mosque because many say that the interior is one of a kind.
The Blue Mosque is visited by many people, international tourists, local travellers and by the locals themselves. As I stepped inside the courtyard I quickly docked to a corner, picking a place to sit on the gallery where the entrance to the mosque is located. I wanted to see the whole crowd and I wanted to also observe the ones praying facing the wall on the gallery.
Whilst taking pictures, a little boy entertained me, shyly posing before the camera after being nudged by his father to pose for me when he saw me snapping away.
Then I decided it’s time to go inside. As I queued up on the main entrance, I noticed that the women without hair covering were turned away. A local man turned around and looked at me with a serious gaze, then he shook his head sideways whilst touching his hair. I understood the message. I cannot go inside without a shawl covering my head. Bummer.
So I stepped back and broke away from the crowd. I then went outside the mosque and saw a shop selling lots of shawls. I bought one and quickly went back and queued. As I near the entrance, I saw a sign that says this entrance is only for Muslims. I pressed forward thinking that perhaps I can get away, after all I am dressed conservatively, and maybe, just maybe, I could pass as a local. Plastic bags were given away and I realised that they are used to put in your shoes. You can only go inside barefooted. I just followed what the rest did and then voila—I was inside!
As a backgrounder, Islam is not a religion of icons. Unlike the Roman & Orthodox Catholic Churches where gods and saints have faces, as well as being heavily influenced by art throughout the centuries, in Islam though they do not have an image of their allah. Islam is against the creation of images and uses only calligraphy to mention the name of allah.
Finally inside, I looked up to the high walls and vaulted ceilings. The interior of the Blue Mosque was just amazing, but you know what really got me? The smell. I am not really very excited to say this but inside the mosque it stunk. It stunk to the high heavens. Smelly sweaty feet. Sorry!
Well what can you expect when hundreds of people have to take off their shoes and come in barefooted? It could perhaps been different if there were less people.
The smell really made me dizzy that I had to retreat to a corner and sit down. Other than that, the interior of the Blue Mosque is stunning. The geometrical patterns and designs were just amazing. The pastel colours of the walls and ceilings make the mosque a soothing and relaxing place to be in.
If you visit here, do make sure you bring a perfumed handkerchief. It will come handy =)
Travel Period: May 2015
Destination: Fatih, Istanbul (Marmara), Turkey
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
The Blue Mosque from a distance.
The Blue Mosque is visited by many people, international tourists, local travellers and by the locals themselves. As I stepped inside the courtyard I quickly docked to a corner, picking a place to sit on the gallery where the entrance to the mosque is located. I wanted to see the whole crowd and I wanted to also observe the ones praying facing the wall on the gallery.
Whilst taking pictures, a little boy entertained me, shyly posing before the camera after being nudged by his father to pose for me when he saw me snapping away.
Then I decided it’s time to go inside. As I queued up on the main entrance, I noticed that the women without hair covering were turned away. A local man turned around and looked at me with a serious gaze, then he shook his head sideways whilst touching his hair. I understood the message. I cannot go inside without a shawl covering my head. Bummer.
So I stepped back and broke away from the crowd. I then went outside the mosque and saw a shop selling lots of shawls. I bought one and quickly went back and queued. As I near the entrance, I saw a sign that says this entrance is only for Muslims. I pressed forward thinking that perhaps I can get away, after all I am dressed conservatively, and maybe, just maybe, I could pass as a local. Plastic bags were given away and I realised that they are used to put in your shoes. You can only go inside barefooted. I just followed what the rest did and then voila—I was inside!
As a backgrounder, Islam is not a religion of icons. Unlike the Roman & Orthodox Catholic Churches where gods and saints have faces, as well as being heavily influenced by art throughout the centuries, in Islam though they do not have an image of their allah. Islam is against the creation of images and uses only calligraphy to mention the name of allah.
Finally inside, I looked up to the high walls and vaulted ceilings. The interior of the Blue Mosque was just amazing, but you know what really got me? The smell. I am not really very excited to say this but inside the mosque it stunk. It stunk to the high heavens. Smelly sweaty feet. Sorry!
Well what can you expect when hundreds of people have to take off their shoes and come in barefooted? It could perhaps been different if there were less people.
The smell really made me dizzy that I had to retreat to a corner and sit down. Other than that, the interior of the Blue Mosque is stunning. The geometrical patterns and designs were just amazing. The pastel colours of the walls and ceilings make the mosque a soothing and relaxing place to be in.
If you visit here, do make sure you bring a perfumed handkerchief. It will come handy =)
The Blue Mosque looming behind the Sultanahmet Park.
The courtyard of the Blue Mosque.
You can pray as well outside the mosque on this gallery.
They pray towards the direction of Mecca.
The little boy who posed for me.
This is the queue to get inside the mosque.
The beautiful interior of the mosque. The patterns and colours are very soothing to the eyes.
Moi shawled up =)
Ottoman influenced architecture: vaulted ceilings, arches, pillars and domes.
This is the inner part of the mosque where only the muslims are allowed inside.
You can only put on your shoes when you are totally outside the mosque. Follow the signs on the floor please.
From the Blue Mosque you can have a peek to the Hagia Sofia just across the Sultanahmet Park.
Travel Period: May 2015
Destination: Fatih, Istanbul (Marmara), Turkey
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
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