Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), Istanbul

The Blue Mosque — also named as Sultan Ahmed Camii in Turkey — is an historical mosque located in Old City, Istanbul.

History of the Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I and built between 1609 and 1617. The Ottoman ruler appointed the royal architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa — a student of the great Mimar Sinan — to be in charge of the construction. The result is one of the last great mosques of the classical Ottoman period.

The mosque takes its popular name from the more than 20,000 hand-painted blue İznik tiles that line its interior walls and dome. With its cascade of domes and six minarets, it faces Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square — one of the most famous views in Istanbul.

Visiting the Blue Mosque

The mosque is in Sultanahmet, the heart of Istanbul's Old City, within walking distance of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar. It remains a working mosque: entry is free, visitors are welcome outside the five daily prayer times, and modest dress is required (head coverings for women are provided at the entrance).

Sweet Souvenirs from Istanbul

A short walk from Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar and the historic confectioners of the Old City sell Istanbul's classic edible souvenirs: pistachio baklava, Turkish delight, Turkish coffee and tea. If you can't fit them in your suitcase — or want to relive the trip later — we ship the same bestselling Turkish sweets and gift boxes worldwide, fresh from Istanbul.

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Turkish Taste was founded to serve all customers around the world with the most famous Turkish Tastes. We ship Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delight, Turkish Tea and Turkish Coffee to our customers all around the world.