The Sultan Ahmad Mosque Known as the Blue Mosque was constructed during the rule of Sultan Ahmad (1603-1617) and completed after the Sultan's death in 1617. The royal architect sedefhar Mahmet Aga was appointed as an incharge for the design of the mosque. The mosque is considered to be the last example of Ottoman classical architecture it is popularly known as Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles adorning the walls of it's interior. Like many other Mosques in the world, it comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah, and a hospice, still the Sultan Ahmad Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction.
The design of the mosque is the culmination of two centuries of Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. At it's lower level the interior is lined with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles with more than 50 different tulips frescos. At it's upper level the interior is dominated by its blue pait, stained glass windows and chandliers. The decoration includes the Quranic verses by greatest calligrapher of his time. The most important element of the mosque is the mihrab, which is carved and sculptured in marble to the right of the mehrab is richly decorated pulpit. The Sultan Ahmad mosque has the wonderful feature of having six minarets four of which rise from the corners and two lower minarets placed at the front corners of the courtyard.
The Sultan Ahmad mosque is the most busiest tourist place in the world. The mosque is open everyday for tourist come from all over the world Sultan Ahmad mosque still to be one of the most frequented monuments of the world. A heavy iron chain was hung at the entrance of the court which was only meant for Sultan. It was done because when Sultan had to enter he had to lower his head in order not to get hit and also as the symbolic gesture, to ensure the humility of the ruler in the face of the divine.
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