The Istanbul Sultanahmet Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque, has opened after restoration work that lasted five years, reported “MIR 24” with reference to RIA “Novosti”.
The Blue Mosque is considered the first in importance in Istanbul. Its distinctive feature is six minarets, four main ones on both sides and two smaller ones at the corners. It was built at the beginning of the XVII century in the historical part of Istanbul, opposite the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
For all five years of restoration, the mosque was completely closed only for five months, while continuing to work with restrictions the rest of the time.
During the restoration, three of the six minarets had to be completely dismantled and rebuilt, the electrical wiring was also replaced, stones and decorative elements were renovated and cleaned.
