Sancaklar mosque, Contemporary mosque in Büyükçekmece, Turkey
Sancaklar Mosque is a contemporary place of worship in Büyükçekmece, Turkey, built into a hillside with a single rectangular minaret rising above the slope. The main prayer hall sits mostly below ground level and is constructed from slate and basalt.
The building was completed in 2012 by Turkish architect Emre Arolat and represented an unusual approach to mosque design in Turkey. It attracted international attention and received several architecture awards in the years that followed.
The name Sancaklar comes from the Turkish word for "banners" and ties the building to the history of the region. Inside, light enters through narrow ceiling openings and falls across the rough stone floor, giving the prayer hall a very particular feel.
Visitors can enter outside of prayer times and should bring modest clothing, as covering shoulders and knees is required. The below-ground entrance can be easy to miss, so it is worth looking for signs near the hillside path before heading in.
The roof of the mosque is planted with native meadow vegetation, making the building almost indistinguishable from the surrounding hillside when seen from above. This means visitors can walk directly over the building without realizing they are standing on top of it.
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