While the Hagia Sofia was undergoing extensive renovations inside and outside, the Blue Mosque was…read morefully open making it the go to big mosque in Sultanahmet. From the outside the minarets and domes were very impressive especially with the blue color theme. Everyone entered the central courtyard where it was lined with information (and people ready to answer questions) about the prophet, religion, Quran and more. From the courtyard, there were two entrances with the main one reserved for worshippers. The visitor entrance required an exit from the courtyard towards the back. The queue was not too bad but there was one check for proper dress (headscarf or skirts were loaned to those found non-compliant) and another stop to remove shoes (needed to hand carry it throughout the mosque). Once inside about half the area was blocked off for worshippers. It was pretty crowded inside but people eventually moved. The low hanging lights did have some blocking effects on overall photos but the amazing details of the stained glass windows, tiles, Arabic lettering, and more surrounded us. The massive supporting columns and domed ceilings that soared above also contributed to the immense space. The Blue Mosque was free to enter but since it's an active mosque it does close to visitors during prayers so plan accordingly. A don't miss when visiting Istanbul.

Absolutely breath taking. I went in and said my prayers…read more It's a beauty and I love the people go there with respect regardless of background & religion. It is free to the public but does close sporadically throughout the day for prayers and cleaning.

Süleymaniye Camii is one of the grand mosques in the city of Istanbul, built during the rule of…read moreSuleiman the Magnificent in the 1550s. (His wife, Roxelana, is a fascinating and influential woman in her own right--check out the Stuff You Missed in History Class episode "The Cinderella of the Harem", or the Ottoman History podcast, or probably others for further information on this woman.) The mosque is not just a mosque; this is more akin to a campus. There's the mosque for prayer, as well as gardens, outbuildings, and a caravanserai used by travelers in the middle ages. It was built by Sinan, the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire; Süleymaniye is probably his most famous work. Sinan is buried near the mosque, and Roxelana and her husband have mausoleums on the grounds. This mosque felt a bit brighter than others to me, because there's lots of white and brighter colors--orange is a major one here. It's been through a lot in the intervening half-millennium; multiple fires have raged on the grounds, and in one of the world wars it was a weapons hub. But luckily for us, it has been under renovation multiple times throughout its history as well, and is in good repair at present. Take a visit to this mosque and learn more about Roxelana! (And Suleiman and Sinan, too, I guess.)

The Süleymaniye Mosque ( is an Ottoman imperial mosque located on the Third Hill of Istanbul,…read moreTürkiye. The mosque was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520-1566) and designed by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan. As part of our tour, our tour guide led us to the mosque, explained its significance, and let us explore the grounds. Women are required to cover up inside the building, as is custom. The mosque is one of the largest in the city and is a part of the designated UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Areas of Istanbul." The mosque is beautiful with its large dome and minarets. The building is one of the most recognizable buildings in Istanbul. It overlooks the Bosphorus River. Construction began in 1550 and completed in 1559. The mausoleum was added later between 1566-1568. Entrance was free.

Unique Underground Mosque located in the alleyways near Karakoy harbor. The subterranean mosque…read morehouses the ancient tombs of martyrs near the back of the mosque. Thanks to Ensar of Istanbulday Tours for sharing this special site with our family.

If you take the ferry from Eminonu or you venture around the Galata Bridge is impossible not to…read morenotice the majestic Yeni Camii, also known as the New Mosque. If you take a photo of the Sulthanamet side, GoldenHorn area and it will pop up in your view! It's also located near the Spice/Egyptian Bazaar. Hard to miss! Free to visit daily except the times for prayers. As a woman, bring a scarf! Not as crowded as Blue Mosque, but beautiful in its own way! The construction was completed in 1665 and it took more than half of century to be finished. A woman, Safiye Sultan, the wife of Sultan Murad III and later Queen Mother was the person who wanted and gave the order for this mosque to be built! The domes are beautiful inside, decorated with the famous blue Iznik Turkish tiles! There is also a building that is a mausoleum dedicated to tombs of past sultans and their wives and children, which was interesting to visit. Lots of history here! This was a new feature for us to discover while visiting a mosque. Be respectful and enjoy this slice of Turkish architecture and history! Easy to find if you visit other sites in the area!

Incredible and majestic, this might be the most wonderful of the Ottoman mosques. Commissioned in…read more1597 by Safiye Sultan, the powerful mother of Sultan Mehmed III, its construction was delayed for decades due to political shifts, financial struggles, and fires. It was finally completed in 1665 by another royal woman, Turhan Hatice Sultan, mother of Sultan Mehmed IV. This history makes Yeni Camii one of the few great Ottoman mosques sponsored and shaped by women of the imperial court. On the other side of the bridge from the Galata Tower, an Iconic landmark for the Golden Horn, it is adjacent to Taksim Square.

Rustem Pasa Camii is a blue beauty. You may stumble upon it but my mom and I were visiting it…read moreintentionally--it didn't seem like we were in the right place, and must be misunderstanding the directions, but then we practically tripped on it as we were wandering around the spice market. It will be very easy to overlook this This is another mosque designed by Sinan. It is named for Rustem Pasha, Grand Vizier for--and son-in-law of--Suleiman the Magnificent, and was completed a few years after Süleymaniye was finished. Although Sinan constructed many, many mosques, this one is somewhat unique in its extensive use of Iznik tile, which was created in a town in the Anatolian region. The extensive use of the tiles mean it's much more ornately decorated than many of the other mosques he designed. Taking a few moments of silence here. Take in both the architecture with many of the same elements of other mosques you may have visited in Istanbul (or elsewhere), with the marked difference of the tiling throughout. The tile remains incredibly vibrant in color for being set almost half a millennia. If you manage to find it, it's certainly worth popping in for a few minutes.

Sure. You're a tourist. They told you to go to the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya, maybe to Yeni Cami…read more But this mosque needs to be on your list as well. It is probably one of the most beautiful mosques in the world, and the tiles--so historic and gorgeous--must be seen. Read up on tile work before you got, just so that you can appreciate the craftsmanship that went into this mosque's construction. Getting there is a bit difficult: you have to go through the Spice Bazaar, and then through the back entrance down a street, and up a couple stairs. Ask along the way--it's definitely worth the extra effort.

When we arrived at the Basileus Hotel for our week in Istanbul, the staff suggested that my mom and…read moreI visit the Little Hagia Sophia. It is literally about a one minute walk from the hotel, so off we went. Emperor Justinian had this built as a church in the sixth century. Under the Ottomans, it was turned into a mosque. This structure and the Hagia Sophia are contemporaries, and have similar design, but neither is a model for the other. This mosque is a small one--you can stand in one spot in the room and see the full interior upon entrance. Still, it has the features you'll be used to seeing in other mosques, like the carpet designed to allow for worshipers to have proper spacing and be lined up for prayer. It also has very vibrant color on the interior and the windows let in beautiful light. It's not a site that takes much time to see, and I would not travel here if I was not in the area, but if you are nearby, a stop here wouldn't be out of order.

We decided to visit the "Little Hagia Sophia" (so called because it was also built by Justinian,…read morealong similar lines to the Hagia Sophia) before visiting some of the larger and more famous buildings. It is certainly less spectacular than the Hagia Sophia, but it has something to offer for people who are interested in older buildings. Do not expect original Byzantine architecture, however, as it has been heavily modified over the centuries, most recently to brace it against the vibrations from the railroad which runs right next to the building. For one thing, it is far less crowded, and you can take your time examining the paintings which decorate the upper galleries without feeling pushed or rushed. Although we did not have a language in common, the caretaker ensured that we saw all public parts of the building, by inviting us to climb to the gallery when we otherwise wouldn't have done so. As with all active mosques, you need to take off your shoes before entering, and women are asked to wear a headscarf. There were headscarfs you could borrow just inside the door. There is no charge to visit.

An stunning looking Mosque in Uskadar. Located in close proximity to the ferry terminal, it was…read morebuilt in the mid 1500s While we were there you could easily hear the call to prayer. As these are active places of worship we did not want to disturb the prayers and simply viewed it from the street. On the far side of the mosque there is a steep stair case leading along the wall. In addition to a small entrance there is also a small cemetery with old headstones. It also was a great spot to catch the setting sun

A beautiful peace of art built close to the pier of Üsküdar, that's why it's also called 'Iskele…read moreCamii'.. It's one of Üsküdar's best known landmarks.. The mosque was built by the daughter of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, Mihrimah Sultan.. The mosque was designed by the very famous architect Mimar Sinan.. The mosque was built between 1546 and 1548.. Mihr-i Mah means Sun and Moon..