Aslanhane Mosque

Aslanhane Mosque (Turkish: Arslanhane Camisi) is a 13th-century mosque in Ankara, Turkey.

Aslanhane Mosque
Portal of Aslanhane Mosque
Religion
AffiliationIslam
Location
LocationAnkara, Turkey
Location of the mosque in Turkey
Geographic coordinates39°56′12″N 32°51′55″E
Architecture
Architect(s)Ebubekir Mehmet
TypeMosque
StyleSeljuk architecture
Completed1290 (1290)
Specifications
Minaret(s)1
MaterialsFace stone and Rubble stone

Location

The mosque is in the old quarter of Ankara next to Ankara Castle. With an altitude of 947 metres (3,107 ft) it overlooks Ankara at 39°56′12″N 32°51′55″E.

History

Built during the reign of Mesud II of the Anatolian Seljuks in 1290, the mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Turkey still standing. Its architect was Ebubekir Mehmet.[1]

It was commissioned by two Ahi leaders named Hüsamettin and Hasaneddin. However, in 1330, it was repaired by another Ahi leader named Şerafettin after whom the mosque was named.

After several minor repairs the mosque was restored by the Directorate General of Foundations in 2010-2013 term.[2]

The building

The square-plan building with 400 square metres (4,300 sq ft) area has one minaret. Its wooden roof is supported by 24 large wood columns.[3] It has 3 gates and 12 windows[1] The mihrab is decorated with Seljuk tiles. The building material is mostly spolia from earlier buildings.

Şerafettin's tomb is facing the mosque. There was a lion statue which was buried in the walls of Şerafettin's mosque. That's why the popular name of the mosque is Aslanhane meaning the house of the lion.[4]

References

  1. "Aslanhane Ahi Şerafettin Camii, Tarihi Mekanlar ve Eserler" (in Turkish). filozof.net. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  2. "Tarihi Aslanhane Camisi ibadete açıldı" (PDF). Atatürk Kültür Merkezi.
  3. "Museums in Ankara" (in Turkish). ankara.com. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  4. "Ankara Mosques in Turkey" (in Turkish). Mymerhaba.com. Archived from the original on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.