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 Most viewed - Istanbul - Kandilli Observatory, Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, 3/30/2006 |
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Tiles209 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.
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Courtyard of the Blue Mosque209 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.
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Main Dome of the Blue Mosque208 viewsThe Main Dome has 28 stained-glass windows. The Mosque also has four secondary and eight tertiary domes.
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Column Capital207 viewsThe Basilica Cistern was constructed with columns salvaged from ruins of older buildings, brought to Constantinople from all parts of the Roman Empire.
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Carpets201 viewsCarpets in the Blue Mosque are purchased with donations from worshipers and are continually replaced as they wear out.
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Walkways200 viewsOriginally the only way to navigate around the Basilica Cistern was by boat. The platforms and walkways were built for the tourist trade, and the Cistern is left mostly empty for the same reason.
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Minarets of the Blue Mosque199 viewsThe Blue Mosque has six minarets, not all of which are seen in this picture. It caused an uproar among the Islamic ulama (Muslim jurists), who were scandalized that it had as many minarets as the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Sultan Ahmed assuaged their ire by causing a seventh minaret to be built for the Grand Mosque.
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Chandeliers195 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.
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The Blue Mosque192 viewsThe Blue Mosque was built on the site of the Grand Palace of the Byzantine Emperors. Sultan Ahmed, who caused it to be built, felt it necessary to reassert the might and grandeur of the Ottoman Empire in a time of serious military reverses during the early 17th century.
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The Hen's Eye Column190 viewsA column engraved with raised pictures of a hen's eye, slanted branches, and tears. Legend says that the tears pay tribute to the many slaves who died during the construction of the Cistern.
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The Blue Mosque - Architecture185 viewsThe Blue Mosque incorporates elements of both Byzantine and Islamic architecture, resembling in some respects its neighbor, Hagia Sophia.
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