Brief History:

is a site located in the central district of Aksaray, Turkey. It is the tomb and mosque of the 14th century Islamic military and religious leader Sarı Saltuk Baba and is located in what was formerly the Anatolian Seljuk town of Aksaray. The tomb and mosque, built in 1311, is one of the most remarkable examples of early Ottoman architecture in Anatolia, and is considered a protected archaeological site by the Turkish government. The tomb is octagonal, and the mosque is decorated with intricate ceramic tile work. The mosque is currently undergoing renovations to restore its original state. It is one of the most famous mosque in Turkey which you must visit.

Architecture:

The Sarı Saltuk Tomb and Mosque in Aksaray, Turkey is an important architectural site in the region that is known for its ornamental façade and its numerous inscriptions. It dates back to the 13th century during the time of the Karamanid Dynasty. The building is built in a characteristic Anatolian Seljuk style with a basilica plan and its dimensions are 11.7 by 11.7 meters. The mosque is constructed from a combination of stone, brick and timber and the walls are decorated with red brick and plaster. The interior of the mosque has been decorated with various types of Corbel arches. The mosque consists of three main elements, the main prayer hall, a qibla and a covered portico. The main prayer hall is rectangular with a central mihrab that stands out due to its intricate decoration. The mihrab has a stalactite canopy surrounded by a facade of red and white marble and red brick. On the left side of the mihrab there is a minbar and on the right hand side there is a pulpit. The qibla is located to the right of the entrance and is connected to the main prayer hall through four openings. It consists of three aisles separated by two columns with dome plastered walls. The roof is domed and is covered with pointed arches. The covered portico is attached to the mosque with four doors and faces the courtyard. This space has a raised floor, making it easily identifiable. The walls were decorated with various colourful ceramic tiles. The exterior of the mosque is very decorative due to the many inscriptions that cover its walls. These inscriptions mostly contain verses from the holy Quran and serve as a reminder of Allah’s greatness. The calligraphy for this inscription is of the Naskh style. The minaret of the mosque is very ornamental and has a square cross-section with four windows in each of its sides. The Sarı Saltuk Tomb and Mosque is a beautiful example of the Islamic architecture of 13th century Anatolia. It exhibits the various styles of Islamic architecture and is a unique site in the region. This is why, it is considered one of the most beautiful mosque in the world.

Visiting Hours:

Sarı Saltuk Tomb and Mosque in Aksaray, Turkey is open daily from 8:00am to 7:00pm. best mosque in the world.