* Turkey *
(out of the blue)
^[ The other mosques we visited ]^
In this post, I will tell you about the other mosques that we visited during our 4-day trip to Istanbul. I cannot really say that we went to 'Turkey', because, we only went to two cities; Istanbul & Bursa.
Basically, when you enter a mosque that was built during the Ottoman empire, you will be able to see these common structures; the dome, the fountain, the sultan's lodge (in big mosques), the mihrab and minbar. Usually, a bazaar can be found around the mosque as it is a source of income for the mosque.
First: Laleli mosque
^[ the first mosque we visited ]^
Our hotel was situated around this area. After lunch, on the first day, we took a stroll around. Then, we found this mosque. Laleli mosque was situated on a higher ground than the city.
^[ Ottoman Baroque ]^
This mosque is a good sample of intergration between the Islamic and the European atyle and design.
We did not enter the mosque, though. This was due to the fact that we still had some 'work' to do (haha).
Second: Kalenderhane mosque
We stumbled upon this mosque by accident as we were walking on the first night, in search of Suleymaniye mosque. As it turned out, it was once a church (most mosques are) and there are still remnants of Christian drawings in some places:
Third: Yeni camii (New mosque)
^[ "Sixty-six domes and semi domes in a pyramidal arrangement, as well as two minarets." - wikipedia.org ]^
Yeni Camii (New mosque) was the most beautiful mosque we visited. The first stage in construction of the mosque started in 1597 and was completed in 1663 due to a lot of conflicts.
Inside, the walls and roof were covered with beautiful tiles which were arranged in the most amazing designs. When you see this, you cannot help but wonder about the wealth of the Ottoman empire.
Fourth: Suleymaniye mosque
^[ night ]^
At first, we wanted to visit this mosque during our first night. We ended up in Kalenderhane mosque instead. Then, we decided to visit it during our second day...and it rained! It was really cold.
^[ rainy day ]^
We did not get to look at the mihrab nor the minbar because a large a part of the mosque was under construction for a year (more reasons to come again). So, they put pictures of the structures on a large white wall. Well, better luck next time. Oh yeah, Suleymaniye mosque is the biggest mosque in Istanbul.
^[ A new experience: walking in a graveyard in the rain. Interesting, huh? Makes you feel very alive. ]^
***
p/s: This post was supposed to be finished yesterday evening. But, a 3-hour-blackout prevented it from being published. Haih~
***
Back to school today.
(out of the blue)
^[ The other mosques we visited ]^
In this post, I will tell you about the other mosques that we visited during our 4-day trip to Istanbul. I cannot really say that we went to 'Turkey', because, we only went to two cities; Istanbul & Bursa.
Basically, when you enter a mosque that was built during the Ottoman empire, you will be able to see these common structures; the dome, the fountain, the sultan's lodge (in big mosques), the mihrab and minbar. Usually, a bazaar can be found around the mosque as it is a source of income for the mosque.
First: Laleli mosque
^[ the first mosque we visited ]^
Our hotel was situated around this area. After lunch, on the first day, we took a stroll around. Then, we found this mosque. Laleli mosque was situated on a higher ground than the city.
^[ Ottoman Baroque ]^
This mosque is a good sample of intergration between the Islamic and the European atyle and design.
We did not enter the mosque, though. This was due to the fact that we still had some 'work' to do (haha).
Second: Kalenderhane mosque
We stumbled upon this mosque by accident as we were walking on the first night, in search of Suleymaniye mosque. As it turned out, it was once a church (most mosques are) and there are still remnants of Christian drawings in some places:
Third: Yeni camii (New mosque)
^[ "Sixty-six domes and semi domes in a pyramidal arrangement, as well as two minarets." - wikipedia.org ]^
Yeni Camii (New mosque) was the most beautiful mosque we visited. The first stage in construction of the mosque started in 1597 and was completed in 1663 due to a lot of conflicts.
Inside, the walls and roof were covered with beautiful tiles which were arranged in the most amazing designs. When you see this, you cannot help but wonder about the wealth of the Ottoman empire.
Fourth: Suleymaniye mosque
^[ night ]^
At first, we wanted to visit this mosque during our first night. We ended up in Kalenderhane mosque instead. Then, we decided to visit it during our second day...and it rained! It was really cold.
^[ rainy day ]^
We did not get to look at the mihrab nor the minbar because a large a part of the mosque was under construction for a year (more reasons to come again). So, they put pictures of the structures on a large white wall. Well, better luck next time. Oh yeah, Suleymaniye mosque is the biggest mosque in Istanbul.
^[ A new experience: walking in a graveyard in the rain. Interesting, huh? Makes you feel very alive. ]^
***
p/s: This post was supposed to be finished yesterday evening. But, a 3-hour-blackout prevented it from being published. Haih~
***
Back to school today.
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