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Turkey & the Balkans
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Istanbul, Türkiye
Istanbul's most famous mosque with its six minarets and blue Iznik tiles that gave it its name. It stands face to face with Hagia Sophia in the historic Sultan Ahmed square.
Story & history
Ahmed I built it as a rival to Hagia Sophia and adorned it with turquoise tiles until it was named the Blue Mosque — Istanbul's most enchanting landmark.
Getting there
Pin the site on the map or head straight there with your maps app; opening hours and access vary by season.
Quick facts
- Six unique minarets
- A ceiling of 20,000 blue tiles
- Contains the sultan's tomb
Visiting tip
Praying amid the colored tiles is a distinctive spiritual experience.