Aşağı Kayabaşı-Begüm Camii

The Aşağı Kayabaşı - Begüm Camii, located in the Aşağı Kayabaşı Neighborhood of Niğde city center, was originally constructed in the 19th century as a church by the Rum Orthodox community. According to the inscription above the entrance door, it was built between 1835 and 1841. Architecturally, the structure follows a three-aisle basilica plan and was built using characteristic materials of the period such as cut basalt stone and yellow trachyte stone. Over time, its function changed and it began to be used as a mosque; today it is known among the public as the Begüm Camii.

^{Aşağı Kayabaşı-Begüm Camii}Türkiye Culture Portal

The building was constructed in an east-west orientation with a three-aisle basilica plan. The naos is divided into three sections by two rows of columns, each row containing four columns. The central aisle is both higher and wider than the side aisles. The construction employed regularly cut basalt stone and yellow trachyte stone. The western facade features a seven-part narthex that surrounds the building on the north and south sides in a “U” shape. Access to the gallery level is via a wooden staircase located in the southwest corner, and this upper level continues along all three facades like the narthex.

There are four windows on each of the north and south facades, and a door opening into the naos is located on the south facade. The inscription above the entrance door is in Karamanlıca and dates to 1838–1841. On the eastern facade, three semicircular apses project outward; inside, the bema is raised by one step. The central apse is wider than the side apses, and each apse contains a single aedicula (niche).

Geometric ornaments adorn the surfaces of the barrel-vaulted ceiling and arches. The arcades are covered with barrel vaults painted in yellow, blue and brick red. The decorative elements beside and above the entrance are currently covered with plaster.

The building, currently serving as a mosque, is known among the public as the Begüm Camii. Its overall condition is well preserved, though there are signs of deterioration on the ceiling and frescoes. Since the walls are covered with plaster, definitive information regarding the original frescoes is unavailable.