The Blue Mosque and the Mosaic Museum

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The Blue Mosque and the Mosaic Museum

Monk set about organising his day for fear of not seeing everything he wants to see in Istanbul.

First trip was back to the Blue Mosque suitably dressed in long trousers to ensure he was not turned away at the door. The mosque, impressive enough on the outside, is breathtakingly beautiful on the inside. The stained glass windows, the blue tiles and blue decorations on the ceilings and domes make the mosque a sight not to be missed. Monk spent so long with his head titlted at a 90 degree angle that, for some minutes after leaving the mosque, he felt a bit dizzy and light-headed. Being an active mosque, entry is free, but Monk is sure the Ministry of Tourism would love to find a way to levy a charge on this magnificent site.

Immediately next to the Blue Mosque, and almost a part of it, is the Mosaic Museum (Buyuksaray Mozaik Muzesi) where excavations have unearthed incredibly detailed and beautiful mosaic floors.

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