Zincirli Mosque

Zincirli Mosque, also known as Kazasker Mosque, is a historic mosque located in the Altındağ district of Ankara.

History

Since its endowment deed or charter has not been found, definitive information about Zincirli Mosque is unavailable, but it is thought to have been commissioned in the second half of the 17th century by the period’s chief mufti, Mehmet Emin Efendi of Ankara. Mehmet Efendi, with the foundation he established in 1685, commissioned, besides Zincirli Mosque, the Ankara Mehmed Efendi Madrasa, a school, and 25 fountains in various places of Ankara. In this respect, the foundation he founded became one of the most important institutions playing a role in the city's development and revitalization. The building was first repaired in 1879–1880 under the instruction of Ankara Governor Hurşit Pasha, and underwent its second major renovation by the General Directorate of Foundations in 1937.

Architecture

The mosque, built with a rectangular plan, without a dome and with a single minaret, is covered with a tiled roof. The base of the building is stone, the body walls are brick-faced and have wooden joists. The mosque, which has a single entrance, has its door on the south façade. The minaret, located at the northwest corner of the courtyard, is made of cut stone base and brick shaft, consistent with the overall structure. In its original form, Ankara stone was used. In appearance it bears similarities to Hacı Bayram Mosque.

The rear prayer area is divided on three sides by a single pointed arch each. The courtyard is covered with a wooden ceiling decorated with carved motifs. The mihrab on the south wall rises up to the ceiling. The mihrab is five-sided and crown-door shaped, while the minbar is made of wood using the kündekari technique. The brick and stone workmanship dominant on the exterior façades is continued inside, and wooden details also shape its character.

Minbar

The wooden minbar inside, like those in other Ankara mosques, is made of walnut wood and is simply crafted using the kündekarî technique. The minbar, engraved with clove, tulip, plum blossom and rose patterns, is depicted with its motifs in their true colors using hues such as ivory, pomegranate blossom, red and oxide yellow. In addition to natural patterns, geometric forms such as angular and asymmetrical stars and baklava slices are also preferred. Prayers and the word "Allah" are hidden among the decorations used on the minbar door; separate panels bear the Shahada and “Ya Muhammad” inscriptions.

Mihrab

The mihrab of the mosque is made of plaster. The rosettes and prayers carved on it are colored with gold‑colored oil paint; thanks to the painting techniques a three‑dimensional image is obtained, making the patterns appear in relief. In the inscription panels, the vertical letters such as “elif” and “lam” are written very close to each other, showing that Seljuk calligraphy art techniques were used and that traditions from earlier periods were continued. However, it has been determined that during the repairs the mihrab was renewed and the inscriptions on it were largely changed.