Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) description and photos - Turkey: Erzurum (Topic)

Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) description and photos - Turkey: Erzurum. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. Title in English - Ulu Cami.

Photo and description

The Ulu Mosque, which can be translated as Big, is located next to the Chifte Minareli Madrasah. It was built in 1179 by order of one of the Saldukids - Nasruddin Aslan Mehmed.

From the original building with a flat roof to this day, only one kybla wall has survived. During the period of its existence, the mosque has been rebuilt and renovated more than once. On its facade, you can see references to five reconstructions that have taken place since the 17th century. In fact, there were many more.

Now the mosque is a domed structure, which is supported by 24 stone partitions and 16 pillars. The front of the mosque is covered with a dome, which rests on a base of logs stacked in a circle on top of each other and resembling a bird's nest. Such a dome is called a swallow vault. On the same axis, a little further, there is another dome, through which the central part of the mosque is illuminated. By the way, the light also enters through 26 windows.

The mosque, built of stone, has a rectangular shape. The interior of the building is divided into seven naves, the central aisles are higher and wider than the side aisles. The mosque can be accessed through 5 portals. The main one is located in the northern wall.

A low rounded brick minaret with a balcony and a gabled roof rises above the mosque. You can get to it only from the mosque.

The Ulu-Kamiya Mosque is considered a very important and significant historical monument, as it is one of the two mosques that have survived in Turkey since the time of the Saldukids.

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Topic: Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) description and photos - Turkey: Erzurum.