The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque (or as it is known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque) was built by Sultan Ahmed I in the period between 1609-1616 AD, in order to confirm the Ottoman authority. This impressive mosque features a group of layered domes, surrounded by six minarets that adorn the city's skyline. The mosque is the largest and most visited Ottoman mosque. Despite its popular appeal, access to it is seriously controlled because the mosque is still used for religious purposes, so tourists are not allowed to enter during prayer times.