Erzurum Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque, Congregational mosque in Erzurum, Turkey.
Erzurum Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque is a congregational mosque with four domes positioned at each corner and 28 windows arranged in symmetrical rows along its walls. These windows are distributed across two levels to allow natural light to fill the spacious prayer hall below.
This house of prayer was built in 1562 during Ottoman rule and was the first of its kind in Erzurum. It established the architectural style that later religious buildings in the city would follow.
The courtyard features an octagonal fountain surrounded by stone columns carved with fine detail, showing the skilled craftsmanship valued in Ottoman times. These decorative elements reveal the importance placed on creating beautiful spaces for ritual washing and prayer.
The interior can accommodate large numbers of visitors and provides ample space for movement and prayer. Those visiting should wear appropriate clothing and be aware it remains an active place of worship.
The lower window sills still show bullet marks from the period of Russian occupation, serving as visible reminders of the past. These scars reveal how major conflicts left their trace on the structures of the city.
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