Blue Mosque versus Süleymaniye Mosque

“Why don’t you want to go to the Blue Mosque?” I ask my sister, who I am visiting in Istanbul. I think I already know the answer – she has been there many times during the half year she has lived here. But I get another, interesting answer instead…

“It smells like wet dogs inside. So many stockinged feet that have been walking around all day… it’s just not very Zen.”

That might be, but I’m still interested in this mosque. I already know that it’s not blue from the outside, so I would like to see with my own eyes whether the blue tiled interior is worth being named after. When I decide to go in alone, the melodious call to prayer from the muezzin starts. Visitors are not allowed during official prayer times. I think it’s a sign…

Blue Mosque from the outside, with 5 of the 6 minarets showing, photo by msandman on Flickr

So instead, I admire the grand outside. The six minarets and many small domes, curves and lines of trees filled with birds are pretty too. The courtyard is worth visiting too. So even though I don’t see any tiles, I dare say I visited the Blue Mosque. Without the scent of smelly feet.

“You know, I’ve never been to the Süleymaniye Mosque. We could go there. I have been told it’s much prettier inside than the Blue Mosque as well” my sister says.

The Süleymaniye Mosque is surrounded by huge gardens. I can imagine these being filled with people having picnics in the summer season. Especially because there is a bathroom available. You have to pay 1 TL to use it, but the cute toilet doors (mind your head!) and basins where Muslim women can wash their feet are worth it. So don’t forget your camera!

We take off our shoes and put them in plastic bags so we can carry them inside. I sniff. No wet dogs here. It’s not very busy. And we are even allowed to enter while the Muslims are praying.

We quietly drop down onto the soft orange carpet. It’s nice in this silent wide open space. The low hanging chandeliers give the place a cozy atmosphere, as do the beautiful stained-glass windows above. I’m happy to be here.

Inside the Süleymaniye Mosque, photo by rogiro on Flickr

My sister later agrees: “This mosque really is prettier. Quieter also. I feel like I can experience everything better. I don’t know if it will be the same in summer, but I would definitely recommend other people to visit
this mosque instead of the Blue Mosque.”

I’m thinking out loud: “Why would the Blue Mosque be so much more famous then?”

“I don’t know, the buildings are both pretty impressive.”

“Maybe it’s the pronunciation – ‘Let’s all visit the Su-ley-ey-mah-njey-ey Mosque’ just doesn’t sound the
same, now does it?”

Blue Mosque versus Süleymaniye Mosque, what’s the verdict?

If you are in Istanbul and want to visit a mosque for the experience, you should definitely go for the Süleymaniye Mosque.

If you are a tourist who just wants to visit the sights like everybody else, afraid of missing out on something famous, then the Blue Mosque would be your choice. One item checked off your to-do list.

Which option will you choose?