Islamic patternwork in Istanbul

One of the things I love most about Islamic art & architecture is their concept of decoration.

The repeating, tessellating patterns are used on tiles to cover walls, ceilings and doors, and similar patterns are used on carpets. My favourite are the intricate geometric patterns, although the floral based designs are beautiful too.

Topkapi Palace, the old home of the Ottoman Sultans, has some of the best examples I’ve seen (although noting will ever compare with the beauty of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain), especially in the Harem:

The other great spot was the interior of the Blue Mosque:

Patterned carpet in the Blue Mosque. Less decorative - my feet.

And that’s just the insides of places. The city is beautiful outside too…more of that to follow.