The Sultan Ahmed Masjid is one of the most impressive monuments in the world. It is also known as Blue Masjid because of the blue tiles that emblish its interior. Situated in Istanbul the largest city in Turkey and the capital of Ottoman Empire from 1453 to 1923, it has become the most popular tourist attraction. It was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmad 1.
As was the custom this Masjid like other masajid of the time comprises a Tomb of the founder ,a madrassah and a founder. construction of the masjid started in 1609. The royal architect Mehmat Aga was appointed by the Sultan as incharge of the project. The opening ceremony was held in 1616. Unfortunately the Sultan could not see the completion of the Masjid in his life. It was completed in the reign of his successor Mustafa 1. The Masjid has a hospice forcourt surrounded by a continuous vaulted arcade. Hajia Sofia masjid is one of the wonders of Muslim architecture was also kept in view as a model. A heavy iron chain hangs in the upper part of the court entrance on the Western side. This was meant for the Sultan alone. The chain was put there so that the Sultan had to lower his head every time he entered the court.The Blue Masjid has six minarets. Four minarets stand one each at the four corners of the masjid. Each of these pencils shaped minarets has three balconies, while the other two at the end of the forcourt have only two balconies. In the evening a large number of tourists and Turks gather in the park facing the Masjid to hear the call to the evening Namaz. The Masjid is flooded with lights and so are the hearts of the believers with the divine love. The Masjid is still one of the most frequently visited monuments of the world.........
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