Yivli Minaret Mosque

Yivli Minaret Mosque

Located in the historic district of Kaleici in Antalya, the Yivli Minaret Mosque is a striking landmark and symbol of the city. Its name, which means "fluted minaret," is derived from the dark blue tiles that adorn it. Although the entrance inscription credits its construction to Mehmet Bey in 1373, it was actually built in 1230 on the foundations of an ancient church that once stood on the site.

Yivli Minaret Mosque

The original mosque was destroyed in the 14th century and later rebuilt with six domes in a rectangular plan scheme with simple decorations. The mosque's exterior walls are made of cut stone, and its exterior tiles on the domes are particularly eye-catching. The mosque is also notable for its 12 columns, which have ancient column heads and support the roof. It is one of the earliest examples of multi-domed mosques in Anatolia.

Yivli Minaret Mosque, located in the historic Kaleici district of Antalya, is a remarkable example of Anatolian Turkish architecture. It is particularly notable for its minaret, which was built on the orders of Alaaddin Keykubad I, the Seljuk sultan who ruled from 1220 to 1237. Standing at 38 meters tall, the fluted minaret is a unique example of its kind in Anatolia, built on a massive stone base that measures 6.5 meters long and 5.5 meters wide. The minaret's eight semi-circular grooved red brick shaft was originally adorned with dark blue and turquoise tiles.

The Yivli Minaret Mosque is a superb illustration of Anatolian Turkish architecture, encompassing all of its structural elements. Turkish architects in the Middle Ages constructed minarets in a variety of shapes, including spiral or grooved designs. However, the Yivli Minaret stands out from the crowd with its tall fluted shape and distinctive appearance, earning it the nickname "the symbol of Antalya."

In 2016, Yivli Minaret Mosque was added to UNESCO's Tentative List as a site of cultural significance.