This jewel of the 17C has retained its vocation as a place of worship, hence the requirement to remove one’s shoes before entering inside. The goal of the architect here was to surpass the elegance of the Aya Sofya basilica, an aim which was achieved via the forest of domes and the six lofty minarets which endow the mosque with its unmistakable silhouette. The interior was intended to be an image of paradise: 20 000 ceramic tiles with delicate floral motifs in which the colour blue is dominant, an unreal light, door frames encrusted with mother-of-pearl, and ornaments made from openwork marble. The over-riding effect here is one of grace and solemnity.