The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is a stunning beacon of Ottoman era architecture, having been constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I. It features a classical Ottoman layout, with its impressive central dome surrounded by four semi-domes atop the prayer hall. Inside, it is adorned by thousands of Iznik tiles and colourful floral motifs that have earned it its popular name. The mosque is seen as a rival to the famous Hagia Sophia, and it is no surprise that it is a major tourist attraction. The mosque also includes Ahmed's tomb, a madrasa, and other buildings, earning it's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1985 under the title 'Historic Areas of Istanbul'.