Photos

Nuruosmaniye Mosque

During the reign of Ahmed III in early 1700's, a thirty year period, known as the Tulip Period, from 1700 to 1730, all eyes were turned to the West. Ottoman architecture began to be influenced by the Baroque and Rococo styles that were popular in Europe and instead of monumental works, villas and pavilions around Istanbul were built; this was the turning point in Mosque Architecture.

Sultanahmet Mosque

The Sultanahmet mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, is the central element of the complex built by Ahmed I (1603-1617) and was completed after the sultan's death in 1617. Its architect is Mehmed Aga (d.1622), whose epithet "Sedefkar" refers to his mastery in mother-of-pearl. The mosque is considered to be the last example of Ottoman classical architecture; Mehmed Aga was an apprentice under Sinan (1450?-1588) and Davud Aga (d.1598), two architects whose works have defined the style of this period.



Yılmaz Tufan
Panoramic Photo Archive of Istanbul City

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