Şeyh Muhtar Mosque, 16th-century mosque in Sur district, Diyarbakır Province, Turkey.
Şeyh Muhtar Mosque is a 16th-century place of worship located in the Sur district of Diyarbakır. It features a distinctive four-pillared minaret with stone carvings that blend Islamic and Byzantine architectural traditions.
The mosque was founded around 1500 during the Aq Qoyunlu dynasty period and marks the transformation of the site into a Muslim religious center. This construction reflects the broader religious shifts happening across the region at that time.
The mosque holds the tomb of Sheikh Muhtar, a venerated figure in the community whose shrine draws visitors seeking spiritual connection. The site remains a focal point for local religious practice and remembrance.
Plan your visit around the daily prayer times when the mosque is actively used by worshippers. Visitors should dress respectfully and remove their shoes at the entrance before entering the prayer hall.
The minaret was repurposed from an older tower structure and converted to serve a religious function over time. This transformation shows how the site adapted its physical features to match evolving community needs.
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