Hizirbey Mosque

Hizirbey Mosque

The Hizirbey Mosque is situated at the heart of Kırklareli and was constructed in 1383 by Köse Mihalzade Hızir Bey. Its smooth-sided surface covers the outer walls, dome, and minaret. Built on a foundation measuring 15x15 meters, the mosque occupies a 1470 square meter area, with an interior space of 328 square meters. It can accommodate up to 1000 worshippers at once.

Hizirbey Mosque

The narthex, which was initially designed in a rectangular shape, was destroyed in an earthquake and reconstructed later on. It was restored by Hacı Yusuf Pasha from Aydos in 1824, and again by Tosunoğlu Ali Efendi in 1887.

The mosque's stone-carved minaret includes a single balcony. During the Balkan War, the mosque was partly destroyed by the Bulgarians, but it has since been reconstructed. It is currently open for worship, and in 2007, it underwent further restoration to restore its original form.

This early Ottoman structure features numerous hand-painted ornaments, which were written by the calligrapher Tevfik from Kastamonu in 1308. One of its distinguishing characteristics is its similarity to the Kaba-i Maazzama in terms of foundation size. Overall, the Hizirbey Mosque is a remarkable architectural achievement and a significant religious site in Kırklareli, standing as a testament to the area's history and cultural heritage.