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  Istanbul - Inside the blue mosque  

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Uploaded: 10/19/07 9:05 PM GMT
Istanbul - Inside the blue mosque
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The Blue Mosque was founded by Sultan Ahmet I. He ordered Architect Mehmed Aga to begin constuction in 1609 and the whole complex was completed in 1616. The location of the mosque is just opposite of the splendid Church of Hagia Sophia as it is trying to compete with it. That is actually true because Architect Mehmed wanted to construct a bigger dome then Hagia Sophia's but he could not succeed. Instead, he made the mosque splendid by the perfect proportion of domes and semidomes as well as the splendid minarets. There is an interesting story of the mosque; according to it, Sultan Ahmet I wanted to have a minaret made of gold which is "altin" in Turkish. The architect misunderstood him as "alti" which means "six" in English. However, when the architect was shivering as "am I going to be beheaded?", the Sultan Ahmed I liked the minarets so much. Prior to that time, no sultan had a mosque with 6 minarets.

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::JQ
10/19/07 9:25 PM GMT
What an amazing building! nice story to go with that wonderful shot too!
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.SedaJe
10/19/07 11:31 PM GMT
Great angle! You have caught the grand beauty of this gem!
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::Jimbobedsel
10/19/07 11:34 PM GMT
I was in a couple of mosques when I was in Jerusalem in '95. That is what this picture reminds me of. Great shot.
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Imagine you are there
.johindes
10/19/07 11:38 PM GMT
That is an amazing building. I love the way you have captured the space and light so well.
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Very very new to this, and only have a bog standard fuji 2mb digi camera.
.0930_23
10/20/07 2:22 AM GMT
This photo really give you the feel of it being round. I feel like I'm spinning when I look up at that gorgeous ceiling. You did a great job of getting the feel of the mosque into the photo. Babe Ruth would have loved it. As you know, he was the Sultan of Swat. Well, it is still baseball season here. Great post Paul and thanks for the information. The lighting is perfect.

Tick
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I'll meet you at the edge of the sunlight, just behind the shadows. The Ghost
.Inkeri
10/20/07 11:41 AM GMT
What a Wonderful building..A Stunning capture in every way..
Goes to favs..
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.Marzena
10/20/07 5:39 PM GMT
Most impressive image and great story !!!
Congratulations, Paul.
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With all my love and respect, Marzena
::cynlee
10/21/07 5:40 AM GMT
It is simply astonishingly beautiful inside the mosques. You put the camera on the floor for this one I see. Turn to your left a little and you will be facing the Qibla.
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You will be led to the knowledge of the internal things which are invisible to you, by the external things which you see before you. . . . Even so then, we can represent to ourselves in thought the Author of all that is, by contemplating and admiring the (visible) things which He has made, and ever brings into being. - Hermes
.sansoni7
10/21/07 8:20 AM GMT
Marvelous view....
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Look around and catch it ; the Art is there !
.boremachine
10/22/07 6:38 PM GMT
this angle has that certain something ;o)
great light and details, superb work!
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If you have some minutes why don't you come visiting my gallery ?
.casperkate
10/24/07 3:41 AM GMT
Stunning shot! Thanks for all the information too.
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.joeysparadise
08/29/08 9:26 PM GMT
Wow!! Excellent perspective to take this shot. Thanks for sharing this unique mosque with us. :)
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"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better" - Albert Einstein -

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