Sunday 21 April 2013

The Blue mosque or the Sultan Ahmet I Mosque, Istanbul

This is our first visit to Istanbul. The Blue Mosque is in our opinion the most impressive building of Istanbul. It was built by Sultan Ahmet I in 1616 and also carries his name. The mosque has on the one side a park and the other side the hippodrome. Enough space to have an open view on this fantastic religious monument.

The total surface of the building is large as also the domes. The fact that this mosque has six minarets is unique. Only the Kaäba in Mecca has seven minarets and the last minaret was only added because the Blue Mosque was its equal.

We were very pleased that tourists were allowed to enter the mosque during prayer times. We had to use the back entrance but were allowed to walk through the whole length of the building. The ceiling is just amazing, the colours and details, the carpets and the experience of people attending the service. Men and women are separated just like in the churches a few decades ago. The Imam or one of the assistants is singing the prayers. We don’t understand it but it is a great feeling. We are swallowed by the total concept of Islam.

Dit is ons eerste bezoek aan Istanboel. De Blauwe Moskee is naar onze mening het meest indrukwekkende gebouw van Istanboel. Het werd gebouwd door Sultan Ahmet I in 1616 en draagt dan ook zijn naam. De moskee heeft aan de ene zijde een park en aan de andere zijde de hippodroom. Genoeg open ruimte om een goed zicht te hebben op dit fantastisch religieus gebouw. 

De totale oppervlakte van het gebouw alsook de koepels is groot. Het feit dat de moskee zes minaretten heeft is uniek. Enkel de Kaäba in Mekka heeft er zeven en dit enkel door er eentje bij te bouwen na de verwezenlijking van de Blauwe Moskee die anders zijn gelijke was. 

We waren heel blij dat toeristen gedurende de gebedstijd in de moskee toegelaten werden. Langs de achterkant konden we de moskee binnen gaan maar kregen de toelating over de volledige lengte van het gebouw te wandelen. De plafonds zijn gewoon ongelooflijk, de kleuren en details, de tapijten en de ervaring van gelovigen die een eredienst bijwonen. Mannen en vrouwen volgen de eredienst gescheiden net als in de christelijke kerken enkele tientallen jaren geleden. De Imam of een assistent zingt de gebeden. We kunnen het niet verstaan maar het is een goed gevoel. We worden meegenomen in het gevoel van de Islam.. 
 
Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Previous Istanbul article: Hotel Erboy and restaurant Paşazade in Sirkeci Istanbul

Previous Mosque article: Jumeirah Mosque – Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

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12 comments:

  1. WOW! This building architecture is amazing! I wonder how many people fell off of the roof while that was being built?? Also the inside ceiling is really incredible. What art. Fascinating that you were able to go in during the prayer times

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  2. dat is wel één van de meest bekende gebouwen ...

    een pareltje van de architectuur

    groeten

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  3. I have the sense that we all should at least once in our life, seek out and feel this ever powering belief, even if for just an hour. It must have been quite a wonderful visit.

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  4. Een aparte ervaring, Filip, binnen...
    Heel mooi gebouw !
    Lie(f)s.

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  5. Istanbul is one of the next cities I would like to visit! The mosque is beautiful! Lucky you! Christa

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  6. You have captured very good images. I am surprised that they let tourists in during prayer!

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  7. This is a palace which is "have to see". I have been there "100 years" ago when I was very young, and I don't remember any. So, fotos help me to remember. Your fotos are wonderfull.
    Have a happy new week.
    orvokki

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  8. Captured beautifully. Can't say I like the interior, too cluttered. Expect I would have to see in reality to make up my mind. Still however, a masterpiece.

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  9. Good photos about an interesting world.

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  10. I love Istanbul - it is such a short plane ride away and yet so different.

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  11. Fantastic pictures, I see you start to enjoy your new camera...I should really visit too soon!

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  12. Filip: Great captures from the Blue Mosque, I made a lot of captures of this beautiful structure.

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