When it comes to tourism in Istanbul - or in all of Turkey, for that matter - there are few attractions as popular as Sultan Ahmed Mosque; indeed, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who visited the city and didn't pay a visit to this historic monument. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also know as the "Blue Mosque" because of the color of its facade, is historically unique in a number of respects, principally that it was founded as a Christian church in Roman/Byzantine times, yet is now an Islamic mosque, signifying the fact that over time, Istanbul has gone from a major centre of Christianity to a primarily Islamic city. There are other historical oddities to be found, too, as Viking visitors to the mosque in the 12th century carved their names into the wooden railings - a curious act of vandalism which has never been corrected over the years. The mosque's architecture is the other most appealing trait, being large yet not unwieldy, monumental yet not decadent; indeed, it seems to strike the perfect balance between grandiosity and class. Needless to say, if you ever find yourself in Istanbul, you really should pay a visit to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque!
Trip's date: July 14, (2011)
Submitted date: December 20, (2011)
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