Istanbul, Turkey is known for its unique architecture which can be found in the city’s monuments. Many of the top attractions are or once were ornate houses of workshop, and in addition to being a great place for religious people, history buffs will enjoy it as the Middle-Eastern city was once the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires. These three religious sites should be at the top of your list when visiting Istanbul.
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
Built by Sultan Ahmed I during the early 1600s to rival the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque features breathtaking architecture with its array of domes, semidomes, and minarets (narrow towers). It’s an active religious site, so make sure you dress conservatively. Women should wear headscarves.
Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya Müzesi)
Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537 and it was a church for thousands of years before serving as a mosque from 1453 until 1935 and then becoming a secular museum. It was once the biggest cathedral in the world and it features stunning Byzantine architecture.
Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii)
Considered one of the city’s most impressive Ottoman mosques, Süleymaniye Mosque was built between 1550 and 1557 after being commissioned by Süleymaniye. There are multiple gardens and a large dome as well as grand finishes like mother-of-pearl window shutters, stained-glass windows, and traditional ceramic tiles. As with all religious sites, make sure to dress conservatively. The mosque is closed during the prayer services which happen six times a day.