Fatih Mosque, Bursa, Byzantine mosque in Tirilye, Turkey
The Fatih Mosque in Tirilye is a former Byzantine church converted into a mosque that combines architectural elements from different periods. A central dome with eight windows sits above a cylindrical base supported by four columns at the entrance.
The structure began as a Byzantine church in the early 8th century and was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman period in the 16th century. It served briefly as a Greek Orthodox church again between 1920 and 1922.
The building displays a mix of Byzantine and Islamic architectural styles through its cross-in-square layout and features like the prayer niche. This combination reflects how the structure has adapted to serve different religious communities over time.
The building is active during prayer times and open for visitors to explore its architectural details. Respectful dress is expected when entering the space, and visitors should be aware of the ongoing religious use of the site.
The building contains carved stone elements from the 6th century, which are older than the Byzantine church structure itself, indicating that builders reused materials from even earlier structures. This practice shows how craftspeople in earlier times recycled local resources.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
