Kırıkkale Nur Mosque

Kırıkkale Nur Mosque is a mosque located in Kırıkkale. All units of the complex concerning the mosque and the mosque have been designed in detail by Architect Necip Dinç, while the first project of the mufti building and the bazaar belongs to Mükremin Karakoç. The exterior architecture of the mufti building and the bazaar was also designed and implemented by Necip Dinç in accordance with the classical style of the mosque and the complex.

Architectural features

The style of the Edirne Selimiye Mosque, a masterpiece from the master period of Mimar Sinan, was taken as the basis for Nur Mosque. However, contemporary architecture was also utilized in the design of the mosque, bringing a different interpretation to the classical style of Selimiye Mosque. Chief architect Koca Sinan applied the four-pillar baldaken system (square pavilion system) in the Istanbul Şehzadebaşı Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosques, later abandoning this system and moving to a hexagonal baldaken spatial search. The most mature example of this is the Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Subsequently, he entered the search for an octagonal baldaken (octagonal pavilion) system. The continuous example of this system is the Edirne Selimiye Mosque. German architect Hans Koeph praised this mosque as “the most beautiful work in the world among pre‑Industrial Revolution structures”.

The central Nur Mosque's 40 m × 50 m area includes a 40 m × 40 m (total 1 600 m²) covered space, while a 10 m × 40 m (400 m²) area is the five‑dome porticoed prayer hall for the congregation. The main mass of the mosque is shaped plastically in three stages with a soaring elevation, thus acquiring a monumental appearance. At the 11.20 level of this soaring elevation there is a terrace floor that surrounds the mosque on all sides. At the second elevation level, there is a transitional stage with vaulted spaces inside and mirrored‑arch façades outside, surrounded by rhythmic stepped coverings. At the four corners of this stage there are terrace pavilion rooms covered with onion‑shaped domes open on two façades. These pavilion rooms balance the mass with their domes. In the third and final stage, four mirrored arches spanning the four façades, small half‑domes at the corners, and eight transitional elements called lion’s chest lead to an octagonal baldachin system. The main dome is placed on the dome drum surrounded by windows. The mosque’s eight elephant‑leg directions are emphasized by rhythmic supporting stages on the exterior, giving the main dome drum a rich silhouette. The dome is crowned all around by sliced onion‑shaped domes at the ultimate points of the elephant legs. The mosque has four minarets with three balconies each, attached to the corners of the main body. The harmonious composition of the mosque is completed by the five domes and magnificent porticoes at the final congregation area that join the north façade of the main enclosed space.