Niğde Alaaddin Mosque
Niğde Alaaddin Mosque is a historical mosque in Niğde, Turkey.
| Niğde Alaaddin Mosque | |
|---|---|
Alâeddin Camii | |
 Portal | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| District | Niğde |
| Region | Central Anatolia |
| Rite | Sunni Islam |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Kale mahallesi, Niğde |
  Shown within Turkey | |
| Geographic coordinates | 37°57′59″N 34°40′44″E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Sıddık |
| Type | Mosque |
| Completed | 1223 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome(s) | 3 |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
| Materials | Cut stone |
The mosque is in the historical castle of Niğde at 37°57′59″N 34°40′44″E.[1] The mosque was constructed in 1223 during the reign of Keyqubad I (r.1220–1237) of Sultanate of Rum (precursor of the Ottoman Empire). It was commissioned by Ziynettin Beşare, the local governor of Niğde in behalf of the sultan. The chief architect of the mosque was Sıddık, the son of Mahmut. His brother Gazi was his assistant.[2]
The building material is cut stone. There are two portals: the one in the east side is monumental. The second gate is in the north side.[2] There are three domes in the southern part of the mosque. The minaret is located in the northeastern corner of the square building.
Shadow design
During mid-morning hours the shadows of the stone carvings of the east portal draws the chiaroscuro portrait of a crowned woman. According to legend, this shadow is the silhouette of the commissioner's daughter with whom the architect fell in love.[3] It could also be the remnants of a goddess cult or an allusion to Maria, a kind of inclusive attitude to the christian population in the area. Outright pictures are avoided in Islam but tessellations and calligraphic pictures were allowed, so designed "accidental" silhouettes of carved stone tessellations over the entrance (muqarnas) became a creative escape. This is probably an early example of artful sciography using pareidolia.
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Niğde Alaaddin Mosque. |
- "Alaaddin Cami Nerede Haritası". Haritamaap. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- "Alaeddin Camii". Islam Encyclopaedia (in Turkish). Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- "Alaaddin Camii'nin kapısındaki sır ne?". Dünya Bizim page (in Turkish). 1 May 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
