Wonder at the Mosques in Istanbul

One of the things I adore most about Istanbul is its skyline. The waves of houses rising above the Bosphorus, the domes of the mosques, the spires of the minarets poking the sky. If there’s a view to rival New York City, this might be it. There are over 3000 mosques in Istanbul, but today I’m going to show you just three of the most famous mosques in Istanbul and try to persuade you that there’s a reason to visit them in a particular order.

The Blue Mosque

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is its true name, though visitors and tourists have taken to calling it the Blue Mosque due to its gorgeous blue tiling. My visit to the Blue Mosque came immediately after landing from an overnight flight.

I was a swirl of fatigue and anticipation as we waited in the tourist line, shuffling close to the building to stay in the shade, loosening up our shoes so we could easily slip them off and switch them for slippers. After squeezing through a narrow doorway, you’re loosed into the cavernous mosque.

Amazing-incredible.

I’m constantly awed by the grand cathedrals all over Europe, but the Blue Mosque floored me. There’s something about the vastness of the domes but the closeness of the chandeliers that creates wonder and instills a feeling of significance. It was dazzling. I wandered back and forth, only vaguely aware of the other people as my eyes were glued on the intricate tiling.

As an introduction to Istanbul, the Blue Mosque was exhilarating.

Hagia Sophia

Two days later, my aunt and I went to the Hagia Sophia. Now a museum, it has been both an Orthodox church and a mosque.

As I walked through the doors into the main chamber, my jaw literally dropped. Even with a third of the interior covered in scaffolding, this was one of the most immense buildings I’d ever seen.

And it’s ancient! Construction on the current building started in 532, making it one of the oldest still-standing structures I’ve ever been in.

There’s something rather indescribable about the Hagia Sophia. Muted grays and gilded embellishments, impassive angels staring down at you, Islamic art of unfathomable size hanging above you – standing inside the Hagia Sophia awes you and encompasses you with its history. I felt like I was glowing as I navigated through the other tourists, finding hidden historical treasures, struggling to take a picture that could communicate the specialness of this place and sometimes just staring and soaking it all in.

Süleymaniye Mosque

Lastly, we visited the Süleymaniye Mosque. It’s the largest Mosque in Turkey and, like the Blue Mosque, is still used as a house of worship.

High up on one of Istanbul’s seven hills above the Bosphorus, it’s incredibly picturesque. It’s beautiful, with pink and red details and relatively empty because of the lack of tourist attention. The mosque is almost 500 years old but it’s so well maintained that it looks almost new.

While it doesn’t have the architectural impact of the other two buildings, it did allow me to have a quiet moment to reflect on the culture, history, and religion of Istanbul. I’d also suggest taking a few minutes for a respectful walk through the Muslim cemetery next to the mosque.

Of course, these grand buildings can be experienced in any order and there are some logistics you need to consider, but to me this was the perfect way to see these three architectural wonders. First, the Blue Mosque exposed me to the magnificence of something completely different than I was used to, far from Western cathedrals and Orthodox churches. Then, the Hagia Sophia blew my mind with its cavernous interior and immense size. And lastly, the Süleymaniye Mosque reminded me that these are revered places of worship today and gave a sense of peace away from the crowds of tourists.

Part of me is still in disbelief at the size and ornateness of Istanbul’s treasures. I fell completely in love with Istanbul during my time there last year, and if I ever have the chance to go back, I’d immediately visit the Hagia Sophia again, blocking out hours to soak it in slowly and just enjoy being in such a monumental spot. When you find a place that’s magical for you, you can’t help but find yourself drawn back there again and again.

Though there is no dress code for the Hagia Sophia, it’s important to remember to dress appropriately when you’re visiting the active houses of worship. In general, err on the side of modesty — definitely no shorts, cleavage, or bare shoulders or upper arms for women. Though they often have robes you can cover yourself with, I carried a light-weight cardigan and infinity scarf with me everywhere in Istanbul since women also have to cover their heads. You’ll also have to remove your shoes, so bring a pair of socks. A little research will make your visit much smoother.

Have you visited Istanbul? Which of these three buildings impressed you the most? Have you visited any other mosques that equally impressed you?