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The Blue Mosque, although not blue from the outside, has the most calming effect once entered. It is amazing that the entire structure was hand made, placed tile by tile, and all in the name of good faith.
I am always glad to see people from all countries and faiths swarming to this mosque to experience the awe. Everyone enters and it's amazing to be with all these people, all respecting and admiring this religious structure - whether or not they beleive in it.
The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is an Ottoman mosque located in the Edirnekapı neighborhood near the Byzantine land walls of Istanbul, Turkey. Located on the peak of the Sixth Hill near the highest point of the city, the mosque is a prominent landmark in Istanbul.
The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque was designed by Mimar Sinan ("Sinan the Architect") for the favorite daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, Princess Mihrimah. Its building took place from 1562 to 1565. The complex has been severely damaged by earthquakes several times (including 1719, 1766, 1814 and 1894), and although efforts were made to restore the mosque, its attendant buildings received less attention. The dome was further damaged during 1999 İzmit earthquake, and required restoration, along with the upper half of the minaret.
The interior is a cube under a dome 20 m in diameter and 37 m high. On the north and south sides, triple arcades supported by granite columns open onto side aisles with galleries above, each with three domed bays. A vast amount of surface area is covered by windows, making the mosque one of the brightest lit of any of Sinan's works. Some of the windows contain stained glass.The interior stencil decorations are all modern. However, the mimbar in carved white marble is from the original construction.
As built, the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque had a külliye which included (besides madrasah) a double hamman, türbe and a low row of shops under the terrace upon which the mosque was built, whose rents were intended to financially support the mosque complex.
One of the seven mosques built in the 1370s by Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah, Prime Minister to ruler Feroz Shah Tughlaq, the double-storeyed marvel got its name from the red sandstone grilled windows, or khirkis, that line its walls. The derelict mosque has collapsed domes, blackened walls and a covered hall in which natural light filters through the ‘khirkis’. Despite this it has a unique charm. The roof, still accessible by a staircase, has 72 domes, 9 of which have collapse and has has clearly been used for a variety of activities – cooking fires have been lit and graffiti is daubed on the walls. Clearly some of Delhi's large number of homeless have been living up here; I also spotted a man using the roof to walk his dog – not a bad idea given that the streets below are jammed.
The pillared hall, with 25 squares, is the highlight. A visually delicious jumble of arches and domes, it takes its dim light from the khirkis, as well as four open courtyards. The Mecca-facing western wall has no window and so is darker and mustier. There, the bats, hanging from the ceiling, make a strange sound that echoes off the pillars. Many say this is Delhi’s most romantic ruin.
ISLAMABAD – An illuminated view of colour lights installed over the landmark of the Federal Capital City, Faisal Mosque on the occasion of special prayers called “Shabina” on the 27th of Holy Fasting Month of Ramzan. Sohail Nashir
This is the Holy Mosque which we Muslims believe that the House of God on earth. the Black building in the meddile (the Ka'bah) is an old building that was built by prophet Adam, peace be upon him. the (ka'bah) was rebuilt again by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, peace be upon them. we belive that the black stone was brought from heaven to earth by angels, and was placed there at that time.
the holy mosque is located in the holy city of Makkah, of which the name was given to it. we also call it the forbidden city, as one is not allowed to cause any harm in it, no hunt of animals, no murder of people, and no cut of plants. Muslims all over the world turn towards the holy mosque while offering daily prayers. The outdoor and indoor praying spaces of the mosque can accommodate up to 4 million worshippers during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world.
Sehzade Mosque was, for me, the nicest mosque in Istanbul, especially from a photographic point of view. Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmet Mosque are the two most-famous mosques in town and, as such, almost always packed with visitors. Plenty of others (Suleymaniye Mosque, for example) are quite beautiful and worth a visit, but also can be crowded. Beyazit Mosque was very nice, and not crowded at all. Lastly (for this trip), Sehzade Mosque was also practically empty -- fewer than 10 people besides me -- and with its symmetry, it's photographically delightful.
The history of this mosque, though, is somewhat sad. Like many other mosques in Istanbul, it's from the 16th century. In particular, this one was built from 1543-48. What happened in 1543 to create this mosque?
The sultan at the time, Suleyman the Magnificent, had a favorite son named Sehzade Mehmed. This wasn't his oldest son, but Sehzade was his oldest son by his legal wife, which put him in line to be the next sultan.
Sehzade was born in 1521. He was a warrior, and fought as far away as Hungary. In late 1543, while returning from a successful military campaign in Hungary, Sehzade died unexpectedly (consensus opinion is that he died of smallpox).
A distraught Suleyman had this mosque built to honor his son, and employed imperial architect Mimar Sinan to design and build it.
The general plan is similar to nearby Beyazit Mosque in that there's a courtyard/forecourt that is enclosed and roughly the same size as the mosque itself. This mosque, too, has a large central dome, but it's flanked by four half domes. The half domes are what enhance the symmetry and photographic lines on the interior.
There are five tombs behind this mosque (that I did not have a chance to see), one of which contains the grave of Sehzade Mehmed.
This mosque is about halfway between Fatih Mosque and Beyazit Mosque, and Suleymane Mosque is also a short walk away, but not on the same line.
Though I've obviously seen this mosque, I would probably make a point to see it again on a return visit to Istanbul. It's beautiful.
Hassan II Mosque; مسجد الحسن الثاني; Grand Mosquée Hassan II
The Hassan II Mosque is open to all Muslims at daily prayer times and for special Friday services. Non-Muslim visitors may only enter the mosque on guided tours, which take place several times a day in English.Guided tours Sat-Thur: 9am, 10am, 11am, 2pm