Istanbul

Mosques, subterranean reservoirs and waterside attractions in the cosmopolitan Turkish city

- HANNAH BRANDLER

1 BLUE MOSQUE

This Ottoman-era structure is best known by its colloquial color-themed moniker, owing to the tens of thousands of blue Iznik tiles that adorn its interiors. Officially it is called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, named after ruler Ahmed I who commissioned the monument as a marker of imperial strength - hence the dramatic curved domes and six minarets stretching to the skyline. The mosque was designed by architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha and constructed between 1609 and 1617, rivalling the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia located on the opposite side of Sultanahmet Square. This UNESCO World Heritage Site closed for a five-year restoration, reopening in April 2023 to tourists and locals alike. The building remains a working mosque so take care to wear respectful clothing - women can borrow shawls at the entrance to cover their heads and remove shoes before entering this majestic monument. As you enter, prepare to be dazzled by the ornately detailed ceilings and 260 windows which flood the cavernous interiors with natural light. The mosque is closed during the five daily prayer times.

2 BASILICA CISTERN