Istanbul, straddling both Europe and Asia, is one of the world’s most vital metropolises. The city has changed hands among numerous empires over the course of many centuries.
In 1000 BC, the colony of Byzantium was founded; it would go on to become the Byzantine Empire’s famous capital, Constantinople. After falling into Ottoman hands, Constantinople continued to serve as the imperial capital. Here are the top reasons to travel to Turkey at least once in a life.
Turkey has a lot of mosques that attract tourists from all over the world. Not only Muslims, but the non-muslims also visit these great mosques because of their historical significance and of their architecture.
In this article, we are going to mention only 3 most famous mosques in Turkey. You can also check out these 9 famous mosques in Turkey that every tourist must visit.
Enjoy the Stunning Architecture of Hagia Sophia Mosque
When Byzantine Emperor Justinian finally saw his finished church for the first time in 536 CE, legend has it that he shed tears “God alone is worthy of praise for trusting me with this responsibility. Oh, King Solomon, I hope I have satisfied your high standards.”
The construction of the Hagia Sophia, or Aya Sofya as it is called in Turkey, was a public declaration of the emperor’s power and wealth.
Tradition held that the position in the church where the monarch sat on his throne represented the exact centre of the planet.
Hagia Sophia is currently being used as a museum but will once again become a mosque in 2020. The Hagia Sophia is still regarded as one of Istanbul’s most important attractions, despite these changes. In 1453, after the Ottoman troops conquered Constantinople, the edifice was transformed into a mosque.
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Explore the Blue Mosque
When Sultan Ahmet I commissioned the construction of this beautiful mosque, which has since become known as the Blue Mosque, he made a substantial addition to the city’s architectural landscape.
Built from 1609 to 1616, the mosque caused an uproar among Muslims throughout with its unusually large number of minarets (the same number as the Great Mosque of Mecca). The unrest in Mecca’s Muslim community was finally put to rest when the city was gifted a seventh minaret.
Because of the tens of thousands of Iznik tiles used to decorate its interior, this mosque is commonly referred to by its Turkish name.
The mosque is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture due in large part to the harmonious combination of its expansive interior space and vibrant colours.
To see the two mosques’ domes vying for attention, a great way to spend time in Istanbul is to stroll around the grounds between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia.
Masjid Süleymaniye
The Süleymaniye Mosque, located on a hill above the Sultanahmet district, is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. During his reign from 1520 to 1566, Sultan Süleyman I, commonly known as Süleyman the Magnificent, commissioned renowned Ottoman architect Sinan to design and build it.
Sinan built numerous other significant Ottoman-era structures in Turkey, including the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. Within, the Süleymaniye Mosque is characterised by exquisite proportions and coherent architecture. The 53-meter-tall dome is the centrepiece of the mosque’s interior.
Among the tranquil gardens is a beautiful cemetery from the time of the Ottomans. The türbes (tombs) of Sultan Süleyman and his wife, Haseki Hürrem Sultan, are located there as well (often commonly known outside of Turkey as Roxelana).