Blue Iznik Tiles at Rüstem Paşa Camii
Istanbul, Turkey
January 10, 2009
Istanbul, Turkey
January 10, 2009
The entrance to Rüstem Paşa Mosque is hard to find tucked away above a busy marketplace. It’s famous for it’s interior which is adorned with exquisite Iznik tiles in blue and white with splashes of red. Iznik pottery from Anatolia was originally made to satisfy the Sultan’s preference for Chinese porcelain. The Ottoman craftsman took their inspiration from the Chinese designs but eventually developed their own unique style.
The initial impact of so much tile on the mosque walls is unfortunately a feeling of having mistakenly walked into a very ornate public restroom or swimming pool. Eventually the association wore off and I was able to appreciate the overall effect which is strangely calming — not to mention deliciously cool on a hot day.
