The Blue Mosque is the symbol of Ottoman Istanbul, the creation of Sultan Ahmed I, who dared to challenge Hagia Sophia itself. Six minarets, cascading domes, an interior clad in blue Iznik tiles—this isn't just a mosque, but a manifesto of imperial ambition frozen in stone and ceramic.

Construction History

Sultan Ahmed I ascended the throne in 1603 at age 13. The young ruler wanted to leave his mark on history—and chose architecture. In 1609, construction began on a mosque intended to eclipse all predecessors.

Architect Sedefkar Mehmed Aga was a student of the great Sinan, who built the Sül...