Istanbul in Photos – Blue Mosque
Across the street from Agya Sophia in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque, so it seemed logical to go there next. Officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it’s more widely known as the Blue Mosque because of its gorgeous blue patterned tiles decorating the inside. It’s one of the most famous mosques in the world, and Muslims still worship there. Entrance is also free since it’s an active mosque, which was nice considering how many other Istanbul attractions have entrance fees.
Scarf Vendors Abound
As Andy and I looked around the outside of the mosque, I realized I had completely forgotten to bring a scarf to cover my head. In order to enter a mosque, everyone must remove their shoes and dress modestly (no bare shoulders, shorts or short skirts) and women must wear some sort of head scarf. I knew this, but somehow that detail slipped my mind when I was packing for our trip to Turkey. So we decided to save the Blue Mosque for the next day in case I had something in my luggage I could use.
Unfortunately I did not, so when we arrived the next day, I bought a cheap scarf from one of the many stores outside of the mosque’s grounds. They sold typical souvenirs, but they definitely knew their audience and pushed those scarves.
The Grounds of the Blue Mosque
Once that was taken care of, we wandered around the outer walls of the mosque. Trees and gardens surrounded the mosque, just adding to its beauty. Turkish families gathered outside while tourists snapped photos of the mosque and went through the archways to get in line to go inside.
Once inside the main courtyard, we saw a long line of people trying to get into the mosque. Even though we didn’t go in the day before, we did look around enough to notice a very short line in the main courtyard, but a long line outside towards the back. Unsure of why there was a long line where the day before it was short, we decided to try the side of the building.
Sure enough, there were only about five other people over there who wanted to get in. Luckily we made it just before they closed that entrance. Regardless, if you see a long line, try the right side of the building towards the back and maybe you’ll be able to get in there.
Inside the Blue Mosque
Andy and I took off our shoes, I put my head scarf on, and we went inside. And that’s when we saw why this mosque is so famous.
The colors and details of the inside of the mosque, especially the ceiling just blew me away. It’s a fairly empty room, but when I looked up I could only stare for a few minutes before I was able to start taking photos. I’ve certainly seen ornate stained glass windows and paintings in churches before, but nothing like the attention to detail that was put into decorating the interior of the Blue Mosque.
The one thing that annoyed me was that there were a few people inside who were not wearing head scarves and still wearing their shoes. Maybe they thought they were exempt because they weren’t Muslim, maybe they didn’t have scarves and decided to go in anyway, maybe they missed the multiple signs telling them to wear scarves and remove their shoes. In any case, it strikes me as disrespectful.
So please, if you go to visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, or any other mosque in the world, follow their rules and customs. It’s a gorgeous tourist attraction, but it’s still an important place of worship. Having to wear a scarf and take off my shoes did not detract from my enjoyment of the Blue Mosque.
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June 28, 2012 @ 9:25 AM
Ahh love the Blue Mosque and love Istanbul so much. So happy I will be going back for a 3rd time very soon!!! Nice shots.
June 28, 2012 @ 2:21 PM
Thanks Jaime! I loved it too, such a beautiful place. That’s awesome you’re going back there again soon, I’m a little jealous!
June 28, 2012 @ 3:31 PM
The Blue Mosque is gorgeous! We went on a long layover in Istanbul on our way back from Jordan. It was a rainy day in Turkey, which we weren’t expecting after having been in the sunshine of Jordan for 10 days. We waited in a long line, but it did move fairly quickly and there was no chance of getting in without removing your shoes, which we happily complied with.
What I don’t remember is if wore a head scarf! I think I did as I had been wearing it to protect me from the rain, but I honestly never remember seeing a sign. Gosh, I really hope I had it on!
June 29, 2012 @ 2:35 PM
I loved the Blue Mosque! I didn’t mean for my comments at the end to sound too rant-y, and I can understand if someone just doesn’t know the rule and doesn’t see the sign. It’s the people who just ignore the rule that annoying me.
June 29, 2012 @ 12:05 AM
Blue Mosque is soooo beautiful! Would love to go to Istanbul some time soon and see it again.
June 29, 2012 @ 2:37 PM
I loved Istanbul so much. Such a great city, and the Blue Mosque was amazing!
June 29, 2012 @ 7:00 AM
Really bummed now. Your photos turned out better than mine. It is really hard to take good photos so well done
June 29, 2012 @ 2:38 PM
Aw, thanks Natalie! I always enjoy your photos, I’m sure you have some great ones from the Blue Mosque!
June 29, 2012 @ 10:28 PM
I’m glad we ended up going twice. That first day felt different than the second and we got to see some different aspects of the place.
June 30, 2012 @ 12:55 AM
Totally agree. Great trip 🙂
July 1, 2012 @ 2:02 PM
I loved how beautiful this place was both inside and out
July 1, 2012 @ 11:56 PM
I totally agree Andrea!
August 4, 2012 @ 10:16 PM
I am headed out for a trip to Istanbul in October, where do you put your shoes?!
August 4, 2012 @ 10:26 PM
There was a rack, but no one used it. We just put ours in our backpacks. Lots of people just carried theirs, but the rack would be fine too.
August 16, 2012 @ 7:05 AM
Looking forward to my trip to Istanbul, thanks for the tip about the Blue Mosque backside entry!
August 16, 2012 @ 1:46 PM
Istanbul is a wonderful city. Give yourself lots of time, and enjoy!
January 22, 2013 @ 4:14 PM
I have a similar experience when I visited Temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. I was wearing knee length dress and a pair of leggings, so I rented sarong because I was not supposed to enter a temple wearing something that tight (the guards asked me to do that). When I had entered the complex, however, I saw A LOT of people weren’t properly dressed –some of them wore leggings/ skin tight pants while some others even wore short skirts. I was rather shocked and annoyed because of this. It was disrespectful 🙁
January 23, 2013 @ 3:22 PM
Yeah, I don’t understand why it’s not always consistent, but better to follow the rules. I agree, definitely disrespectful to go into a place of worship dressed inappropriately. Thanks for sharing Halida!