Panaya Church (Yaman Dede Mosque)

Panaya Church (Yaman Dede Mosque)

The Panaya Church, constructed in 1886 in the Tablakaya District of Talas, Kayseri, was originally a Greek Orthodox church. However, in 1925, after the local Greek population was displaced, the church was transformed into a mosque and named Yaman Dede Mosque. The conversion included the addition of a mihrab and pulpit, which now face south.

Panaya Church (Yaman Dede Mosque)

The mosque's architecture is captivating, with a magnificent staircase leading up to it from below. The surrounding area also boasts of several historical structures built by the Greeks in ancient times. Today, the mosque's terrace is lined with shops, serving as cultural centers for the community.

The Yaman Dede Mosque's location on a slope offers an enchanting view of the city and its surroundings. Despite its transformation, the mosque still retains some of its original beauty and significance as an important cultural and historical landmark in the Talas District of Kayseri.