Istanbul Theme Events and Tours
Islamic Tour of Istanbul
This tour includes visit of Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the
Suleymaniye Mosque.
Blue Mosque is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of
the city. It was founded by Sultan Ahmet I and constructed by the
architect Mehmet Aga between 1609 and 1616. Therefore local people
call it the Sultan Ahmet Mosque whereas tourists call it the Blue
Mosque, because of its blue interior. What is original and very
beautiful in the decoration of the interior (See picture) is the
revetment of tiles especially in the galleries. The magnificent
floral designs display the traditional lily, carnation, tulip and
rose motifs. The Blue Mosque which is the only one in the world with
six minarets, is visited by many foreigners and is still in service
for the local Muslims.
Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans, is the
most extensive and fascinating monument of Ottoman civil
architecture in existence. In addition to its architectural and
historical interest, it contains as a museum, superb and unrivalled
collections of porcelains, armor, fabrics, jewellery, illuminated
manuscripts, calligraphy, and many objects of art formerly belonging
to the Sultans.
The Suleymaniye is the second largest, but by far the finest and
most magnificent of the imperial mosque complexes in the city. It is
a fitting monument to its founder, Suleyman the Magnificent, and a
masterwork of the greatest of Ottoman architects, Sinan. The mosque
is considered the most important Ottoman building in Istanbul.
The construction of the mosque began in 1550 and was completed in
1557. Like most of the other imperial mosques, the Suleymaniye is
built as a complex, with other buildings, such as a school, a
hospital, a public kitchen etc. arranged around the courtyard with
as much symmetry as the nature of the site would permit. Nearly all
of these pious foundations have been restored and some of them are
serving the people as they did in the days of Suleyman.
The interior only enlivened by some touches of color, gives the
impression of a simple grandeur. The lovely stained glass windows;
the tiles which are the earliest known examples of the new
techniques of the Iznik kilns; the marble niche and the woodwork are
of great simplicity and distinction. Throughout the building there
are inscriptions by famous calligraphers.
The mosque today is still in service.
Note:
The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
|
