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Construction of the Blue Mosque begins (1609)

Type Event Region West Asia Time 1609–1617

In 1609 Sultan Ahmed I ordered construction of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul, designed by Sedefkar Mehmed Agha facing Hagia Sophi…

Timeline

  1. 1609Topkapi Palace · IstanbulAhmed I resolved to display piety and authority through a grand mosque, sited opposite the Byzantine Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia, entrusting the project to Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, a pupil of Mimar Sinan, drawing on imperial finances.
  2. 1609–1612Sultan Ahmed Square construction site · IstanbulWork first completed the foundations and supports for the great central dome, using a cascading dome system echoing Hagia Sophia, and unusually added six minarets, sparking contemporary debate about overstepping protocol and extravagance.
  3. 1610–1617Sultan Ahmed Mosque · IstanbulThrough the 1610s, interior wall decoration covered in blue-green Iznik tiles, calligraphic inscriptions, and lighting design were completed, giving the mosque its 'Blue Mosque' name. Attached religious school, hospital, and market formed a complete charitable complex.

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