Islamic architecture

Islamic architecture is the entire range of architecture that has evolved from Islam as a social, cultural, political and religious phenomenon. Hence the term encompasses religious buildings as well as secular ones, historic as well as modern expressions and the production of all places that have come under the varying levels of Islamic influence.
At its lower levels the interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) is lined with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles, made at Iznik (the ancient Nicaea). Its upper levels are painted. More than 200 stained glass windows with intricate designs admit natural light, today assisted by chandeliers. The decorations include verses from the Holy Koran, many of them made by Seyyid Kasim Gubari, regarded as the greatest calligrapher of his time.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Blue Mosque in the heart of the old town
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii). The most important element in the interior of the mosque is the mihrab, which is made of finely carved and sculptured marble, the adjacent walls sheathed in ceramic tiles. To the right of the mihrab is the mimber, or pulpit, where the Imam stands when he is delivering his sermon at the time of noon prayer on Fridays or on holy days. The mosque has been designed so that even when it is at its most crowded, everyone in the mosque can see and hear the Imam.
The kitchen of the Topkapi Palace spans to the right. Over 6,000 meals where prepared here daily.
Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Saray)
Grand Basar (Kapalı Çarşı)
Grand Basar (Kapalı Çarşı)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Blue Mosque by night
View on some of the minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), also known as the Blue Mosque
One of the six minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
One of the six minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Model (scale 1:25) of the Bazaar of Aleppo during the Age of the Crusades
Model (scale 1:25) of the Bazaar of Aleppo during the Age of the Crusades
        
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