1. The Rüstem Pasha Mosque is one of the most popular mosques at Istanbul in Turkey. The 16th-century mosque is situated to the right of the Spice Market, below the grand Suleymaniye Mosque.

2. Walk to the Hasircilar Çarşısı out of the Spice Market alley, which is parallel to the water, up to the corner of Mahkeme Sk where the mosque is located. The entrance of the mosque is kept out of sight by stalls lining the streets of the local bazaar.

3. The mosque, built in 1561, is a sheer beauty with the stunning blue iznik tiles adorning it, inside and out.

4. It was the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan who designed the mosque for the sake of Devshirmeh Croation Rustem Pasha, one of the grand viziers of the Ottoman Empire. He was also married off to one of the daughters of Sultan Suleiman.

5. Interestingly, the tiles used in the construction of the mosque were sourced from Iznik, a town in the province of Bursa, which is famous for the manufacture of ceramics even today.

6. Only turquoise and cobalt blue colours were initially used during the construction, but later pale purple and sage green were introduced in the 16th century. Again, these gave place to a brighter emerald green and red colour. By the turn of the 17th century, poor quality of tiles and pottery affected the architecture of the mosque. The aforementioned colours feature prominently both inside as well as on the facade of the striking structure.

7. This mosque is overcrowded every Friday at Jummah prayers such that the worshippers flow out on to the terrace and the Quibla of the mosque, which indicates the direction of Mecca.

8. The inside of the mosque is a visual treat as the centre of the room is bejewelled with low-hanging lanterns. This extends up to a large central dome, very typical of Islamic mosques, from where it hangs. One can find four semi-domes, all surrounded by low hanging lanterns, which support this. The tiles found on the walls glisten and glitter brightly under this light.

9. Visitors to the mosque found the Rüstem Pasha Mosque to be magical in its own away, while appreciating the multifarious hues and patterns decorating the titles, including the highly imposing red colour on the walls. People also flock to this mosque seeking spirituality and tranquillity, gently all-pervasive in this place.