Yivli Minaret Mosque, also known as the Alaaddin Mosque or Antalya Ulu Mosque, is one of the most important landmarks in Antalya. Standing beside the entrance to Kaleiçi Old Town, its distinctive red-brick, fluted tower has become an unmistakable symbol of the city.
The minaret was commissioned during the reign of Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad I in the 13th century. Together with the six-domed mosque, historic tombs, medrese remains, bath and Mevlevihane Museum, it forms one of Antalya’s most meaningful architectural complexes.
See the unmistakable fluted minaret that has represented Antalya for generations.
Admire red brickwork, turquoise tiles, geometric forms and monumental medieval design.
Explore a wider külliye containing a mosque, tombs, medrese remains and a Mevlevihane museum.
Combine the landmark easily with Cumhuriyet Square, the old harbor and Kaleiçi streets.
Essential information for visiting one of Antalya’s most important historical and architectural landmarks.
Located beside Kaleiçi and Kalekapısı Square in the historic center of Antalya.
The minaret and first mosque date to the 13th-century Anatolian Seljuk period.
Allow around 30 to 60 minutes for the mosque, courtyard and nearby complex buildings.
Fluted brick minaret, turquoise tiles, six domes, ancient columns, tombs and Mevlevihane Museum.
Explore the story of one of the most distinctive monuments of medieval Anatolian Turkish architecture.
The history of Yivli Minaret Mosque is closely connected with the Seljuk conquest of Antalya. After the city came under Anatolian Seljuk control in the early 13th century, a mosque was established here during the reign of Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad I. The famous minaret was built as a monumental expression of the city’s new architectural and cultural identity.
The first mosque was constructed around 1230, incorporating parts of an earlier religious building that had stood on the site. After the original prayer hall was destroyed, the mosque was rebuilt in the 14th century. An inscription associates the reconstruction with Mehmet Bey in 1373.
The present mosque is especially important because of its rectangular plan and six-domed prayer hall. The domes are supported by twelve columns, several of which reuse ancient column capitals. This combination of Seljuk, earlier Anatolian and later medieval elements gives the building an unusually layered architectural character.
Yivli Minaret Mosque was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2016. Its nomination recognizes the exceptional design of the fluted minaret, the mosque’s place in the development of multi-domed architecture and its importance as the historic symbol of Antalya.
Discover the most important architectural details and historic spaces within the Yivli Minaret complex.
The landmark’s Turkish name, Yivli Minare, means “Fluted Minaret.” Its shaft is formed by eight rounded red-brick flutes rising above a massive stone base.
Traces of turquoise and dark-blue glazed tile decoration give the minaret its unmistakable Seljuk character. The contrast between red brick and colored tilework is particularly striking in warm afternoon light.
The present prayer hall is covered by six domes and is regarded as one of the oldest surviving examples of the multi-domed mosque tradition in Anatolia.
Twelve columns support the domed roof, and several carry reused ancient capitals. These architectural elements reveal how older materials were incorporated into the medieval mosque.
During restoration work, historic water channels were discovered beneath the mosque. A transparent floor section allows visitors to see part of this earlier infrastructure.
The wider complex includes the Antalya Mevlevihane Museum, the historic bath, Nigâr Hatun Tomb and Zincirkıran Mehmet Bey Tomb.
Yivli Minaret Mosque has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2016 as a cultural property proposed by Türkiye. It has not yet been inscribed on the final World Heritage List, but its tentative status recognizes the monument’s exceptional architectural importance.
2016
Cultural heritage property.
Criteria (ii) and (iv), focusing on architectural exchange and outstanding building design.
The monument represents a unique fluted-minaret form and an early surviving multi-domed mosque.
Visitors can see Yivli Minaret, enter the mosque when it is open to non-worshippers and explore the nearby Mevlevihane Museum without purchasing a standard archaeological-site ticket.
Free of charge.
Free of charge.
No Museum Pass is required for the mosque or the free Mevlevihane Museum.
The mosque remains an active place of worship, so tourist access may pause during prayer times.
Published visitor hours can change according to religious services, official decisions and seasonal arrangements. Always respect worshippers and follow the instructions of mosque staff.
Opening hours are subject to change. The mosque may temporarily limit visitor access during prayers, religious holidays, ceremonies or maintenance.
Yivli Minaret Mosque is an essential stop for anyone exploring Kaleiçi and the historic center of Antalya. It offers an impressive combination of Seljuk architecture, living religious tradition and easy city-center access.
Few landmarks are as closely identified with Antalya as the elegant red-brick silhouette of Yivli Minaret.
The minaret’s fluted design, brick construction and colored tilework make it one of the city’s finest medieval structures.
The mosque forms part of a wider historic complex with tombs, medrese remains, a bath and Mevlevihane Museum.
Its central position makes it easy to combine with Kaleiçi, Cumhuriyet Square, the old harbor and city-center shopping.
For travelers seeking a place that is historic, symbolic, accessible and visually distinctive, Yivli Minaret is one of the most rewarding landmarks in Antalya.
Yivli Minaret Mosque is located in central Antalya, beside Kalekapısı and Cumhuriyet Square, at the upper entrance to Kaleiçi Old Town.
The mosque is within easy walking distance of the old harbor, Hadrian’s Gate and most Kaleiçi hotels.
Use the city tram or Antray and walk from the nearest central stop around Cumhuriyet Square or İsmetpaşa.
Ask for “Yivli Minare” or “Kalekapısı.” Taxis can drop passengers close to the pedestrian historic area.
Parking inside Kaleiçi is limited. Using a nearby city-center car park and continuing on foot is usually easier.
The mosque is an active place of worship. Wait quietly if tourist entry is temporarily paused.
Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Women should carry a scarf for covering the head inside.
Shoes must be removed before entering the prayer area. Use the designated shoe storage area.
Ask permission when necessary, avoid flash and never disturb worshippers while taking photographs.
Do not stop after seeing the minaret. Allow time for the mosque, tombs and Mevlevihane Museum.
After your visit, walk downhill through the old streets toward the historic harbor and city walls.
Ideal for visitors interested in Seljuk brickwork, tile decoration and unusual minaret design.
A meaningful stop for understanding Antalya’s transition from ancient and Byzantine heritage to Seljuk rule.
One of the essential central landmarks to include during a first walk through Antalya.
The tower’s red brick, blue tile details and position above Kaleiçi create memorable city compositions.
Yivli Minaret stands at one of the best starting points for exploring central Antalya. The following attractions can be combined easily on foot or with a short local journey.
Explore narrow historic streets, Ottoman houses, city walls, boutique hotels, cafés and the old harbor immediately below the mosque.
One of Antalya’s best-preserved Roman monuments and a dramatic historic entrance into Kaleiçi.
Discover major archaeological collections from Pamphylia, Lycia and Pisidia, including celebrated Roman sculptures from Perge.
Visit the free museum within the Yivli Minaret complex and learn about Mevlevi culture, spirituality and daily life.
Yivli Minaret is famous for its eight-fluted red-brick shaft, turquoise and dark-blue tile decoration, Seljuk architecture and status as the historic symbol of Antalya.
The minaret dates to the 13th century and was commissioned during the reign of Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubad I.
It is currently on Türkiye’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, where it has been listed since 2016. Tentative status is different from final World Heritage inscription.
No. Entrance to the mosque and the nearby Mevlevihane Museum is generally free of charge.
Yes. Respectful visitors are welcome outside prayer times, provided they follow mosque dress rules, remove their shoes and avoid disturbing worshippers.
Around 30 to 60 minutes is suitable for seeing the mosque, courtyard, nearby tombs and Mevlevihane Museum.
Yivli Minaret is one of Antalya’s most photogenic city landmarks. Different viewpoints reveal its brickwork, tile decoration and relationship with the historic Kaleiçi skyline.
A strong viewpoint for showing the full minaret rising above the entrance to the old town.
Photograph the transition from the massive square stone base to the elegant fluted brick shaft.
Frame the minaret above red-tiled roofs, palm trees, historic walls and the old city skyline.
Look for domes, stonework, tomb entrances and the quieter architectural details of the complex.
A zoom lens helps reveal surviving turquoise and dark-blue decoration against the red brick.
Late-afternoon light creates warm tones and a memorable silhouette above central Antalya.
Yivli Minaret can be visited throughout the year. Because it stands in the center of Antalya, the best timing depends mainly on weather, prayer times and how you plan to combine the visit with Kaleiçi.
Pleasant temperatures make this one of the best periods for a long walking route through central Antalya.
Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the strongest heat while walking around Kaleiçi.
Excellent weather, softer light and a comfortable atmosphere for photography and old town exploration.
A quieter period with fewer visitors and a more relaxed city-center experience.
April – June and September – October
Morning for a calmer visit or late afternoon for warm photography light
Check local prayer times before entering the mosque and explore Kaleiçi immediately afterward
Combine Yivli Minaret and Kaleiçi with Antalya’s ancient cities, museums, Mediterranean coastline and carefully planned private or daily sightseeing experiences.
Choose a wider Antalya experience based on your preferred travel style, timing and interests.
Compare guided day tours featuring ancient cities, Mediterranean scenery and regional cultural highlights.
View Tours
Enjoy flexible private sightseeing with personalized routes, comfortable transport and local planning.
View Private Tours
Explore Kaleiçi, museums, ancient cities, coastal ruins, caves, canyons and other regional highlights.
Explore Antalya