Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

The Blue Mosque is one of the most imposing sights one can have in the city of Istanbul. It is one of the many mosques that are known by the name Blue Mosque as their interiors are decorated by blue tiles. This national mosque of Turkey was completed in the year 1616 under the reign of Ahmed I. Its architecture speaks the language of two different styles; one of Ottoman mosque and the other of Byzantine church. So don't be amazed if you find similarities between Sultan Ahmet Camii and the adjacent Hagia Sophia. The central dome of the mosque tops at a height of 43m and has a diameter of 23 m. There are six minarets in the mosque, one on each corner and two at the end of the forecourt. The minarets at the corners have three balconies whereas the two in the forecourt have only two balconies. The interiors too are extremely lavish in which splendid use of tiles and great level of carvings on marble is seen.