Blue Mosque, Istanbul

jo · #1 (**permalink**) April 19th, 2001, 03:18 AM

I will be on a cruise originating in Istanbul. Have signed up for tour that includes the Blue Mosque. I notice in the brochure that you are required to remove shoes before entry, however a muscle condition prevents me from going barefoot. I must have shoe support. Has anyone else had a similar problem.
Do you suppose if I put a pair of socks on over my shoes, that would be permissable? Will appreciate any input.

KLD · #2 (**permalink**) May 2nd, 2001, 02:12 AM

No, they are very strict about this. They will not allow shoes, shorts, or sleeveless tops. They also do not allow wheelchairs. The grounds are nice, and you can go into Aya Sophia since it is no longer a functioning mosque. I actually found Aya Sophia much more interesting due to the history, and was unable to see a lot of the Blue Mosque as services were taking place while we were there.

#3 (**permalink**) June 9th, 2001, 11:45 PM

Unfortunately, as the Blue Mosque is a functioning mosque, you will not be able to enter even with socks over your shoes. They have guards posted outside of the doors and they will not let anyone in who's not dressed accroding to rule. They have large sheets of fabric to cover anyone wearing shorts, but, you do have to remove your shoes.