Istanbul - Kandilli Observatory, Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, 3/30/2006

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Istanbul - Kandilli Observatory, Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, 3/30/2006

Monumental Gate491 viewsThe main gate to the courtyard of the Blue Mosque is described as "monumental but narrow."

Courtyard of the Blue Mosque418 viewsThe court is as large as the mosque itself and is surrounded by a continuous vaulted arcade. The hexagonal structure in the center is a fountain.

Blue Mosque - Fountain and Minaret502 viewsOne of the six minarets of the Blue Mosque towers over the fountain in the forecourt of the Mosque.

Blue Mosque - interior392 viewsThe mosque has over 200 stained-glass windows. The glass for the windows was a gift from Venice to the Sultan.

Touring the Blue Mosque413 viewsThe Blue Mosque is both a working mosque and one of the main tourist attractions of Istanbul. Here our tour group gathers for instruction by Attila in its history and architecture, as well as the rules of etiquette for visitors.

Etiquette478 viewsVisitors are required to remove their shoes and carry them in a bag provided free of charge. Both men and women are expected to dress modestly (no short pants or skirts), and head coverings for women are mandatory.

Main Dome of the Blue Mosque401 viewsThe Main Dome has 28 stained-glass windows. The Mosque also has four secondary and eight tertiary domes.

Carpets393 viewsCarpets in the Blue Mosque are purchased with donations from worshipers and are continually replaced as they wear out.

Tiles454 viewsThe interior of the Blue Mosque is lined with over ceramic 20,000 tiles. These were made in Iznik, the former Nicaea, which was a major center for the production of fine tiles.

Chandeliers381 viewsSupposedly ostrich eggs were put on the chandelirs to keep them free of cobwebs by repelling spiders. I don't know why ostrich eggs would repel spiders, and I didn't see any myself. I suspect that nowadays the cobwebs are taken care of by the cleaning crew.

Illumination450 viewsFlash photography is not permitted in the Blue Mosque. Even though artificial lighting supplements the natural light admitted through the stained-glass windows, it was still too dim for our cameras inside the mosque, so many of our pictures came out blurry.

Blue Mosque - Arches376 viewsThis type of arch is typically Islamic; very similar arches are found in the Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain, among other places.

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Event Horizon - Astronomical and Terrestrial Images

Istanbul - Kandilli Observatory, Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, 3/30/2006