The Sultan Ahmed Mosque was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I and remains one of the principal imperial mosques of Istanbul. Designed by the architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, a pupil of Mimar Sinan, the mosque forms part of a külliye (imperial complex) that originally included a madrasa, hospice, market structures, and the sultan’s tomb. Its cascading domes and semi-domes extend the classical Ottoman mosque tradition developed in the 16th century. The mosque is widely known for the extensive use of İznik ceramic tiles that line its interior walls, giving rise to the popular name “Blue Mosque.” It was built opposite Hagia Sophia in the historic peninsula, reinforcing the symbolic continuity of imperial authority in the former Byzantine capital. The structure remains an active mosque and major site of worship while accommodating large numbers of visitors.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Stone, Marble, Brick, Iznik tiles
- Civilization
- Ottoman
- Accessibility
- Ground-level entry; security screening required; modest dress enforced
- Date(s)
- 1609–1616 CE
- Condition
- Active mosque; restored and maintained
- Original Function
- Imperial congregational mosque
- Key Figures
- Sultan Ahmed I, Sedefkar Mehmed Agha
- Architectural Style
- Classical Ottoman
Imperial Context
Early 17th centurySultan Ahmed I commissioned the mosque during a period of political and military challenge for the Ottoman Empire. Unlike earlier imperial mosques financed by war spoils, this project was funded from the imperial treasury, which generated criticism at the time. Its prominent placement opposite Hagia Sophia asserted Ottoman sovereignty over the former Byzantine capital.
Construction and Design
1609–1616Architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha designed the mosque using a central dome flanked by semi-domes, drawing from the architectural vocabulary established by Mimar Sinan. The interior features more than 20,000 handmade İznik tiles with floral and geometric motifs. The six minarets were unusual for an imperial mosque and reportedly prompted controversy due to their parity with the mosque in Mecca at the time.
Religious and Civic Complex
17th–19th centuriesThe mosque formed the center of a külliye that included a madrasa, soup kitchen, market stalls, and the mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I. These institutions integrated religious worship with social welfare and education, reinforcing the mosque’s civic role within Ottoman urban life.
Modern Restoration and Use
20th century–presentThe mosque has undergone multiple restoration campaigns addressing structural stress, tile conservation, and seismic reinforcement. It remains an active place of worship, particularly during Friday prayers and Ramadan, while functioning as one of Istanbul’s most visited historic monuments.