Aslanhane Mosque, 13th-century mosque in Old Town, Ankara, Turkey
The Aslanhane Mosque is a house of prayer in Ankara's old town with a square floor plan supported by 24 wooden columns that hold up its traditional wooden roof. The interior spans around 400 square meters and displays the typical layout of mosques from this era.
The mosque was founded in 1290 during the Anatolian Seljuk period and stands as one of Turkey's earliest examples of wooden hypostyle architecture. It has shaped the religious life of this Ankara neighborhood ever since.
The decorated mihrab displays tiles salvaged from earlier Seljuk buildings, showing how communities incorporated older materials into new sacred spaces. This practice of reusing elements remains visible to visitors examining the interior decoration today.
The mosque sits near the Ankara Citadel and welcomes visitors interested in exploring its architectural features and construction methods. Regular prayer services take place here, so it is helpful to be mindful of prayer times and dress appropriately.
Three stone gates and twelve windows pierce the fortified walls, creating a balance between defense and light in the building's structure. Beneath these walls lie reused ancient marble blocks that form the foundation, demonstrating the structure's longevity.
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