Çelebi Ağa Camii

Çelebi Ağa Camii is one of the significant representatives of 16th-century Ottoman architecture in Eastern Anatolia. The structure was built in line with the increasing administrative and military presence of the Ottoman Empire in the region and also serves as a religious and cultural center. Its founder, Çelebi Ali Bey, served as the sanjakbey of Pertek and undertook various construction activities for the development of the area. This mosque is named after him and is directly attributed to him through an inscription.

An inscription above the entrance door, executed in Arabic script with a sulus style, states that the mosque was commissioned by Çelebi Bey bin Ali in the month of Ramadan in the year 976 AH (1569 CE). This date coincides with the peak period of classical Ottoman architecture and confirms that the structure was built in accordance with the architectural sensibilities of its time.

^{Çelebi Ağa Camii} (Culture Portal)

Çelebi Ağa Camii features a traditional Ottoman mosque layout consisting of a single-domed prayer hall and a three-domed rear congregation area. The structure was built using a combination of cut stone and rubble stone.

• Rear Congregation Area: Covered by three domes and supported by columns, it opens outward through arched openings. In this section, alongside a vaulted side space, a fountain arranged in an iwan form is located at the center of the wall.
• Main Prayer Space (Harim): Covered by a single dome. The entrance facade is emphasized by a ornate stone portal, an exemplary display of fine stonework.
• Windows and Lighting: Pointed-arch windows provide natural illumination to the interior while also enhancing the verticality of the structure.

^{Çelebi Ağa Camii} (Culture Portal)

In the 1970s, parts of Pertek district faced the risk of being submerged due to the construction of the Keban Dam. To preserve Çelebi Ağa Camii, the Restoration Department of Middle East Technical University (METU) oversaw the dismantling of the structure, with each stone numbered and transported above the future water level. The building was reconstructed at its new location, faithfully adhering to its original plan and material arrangement. In this regard, the mosque is among the few historic mosques in Türkiye relocated due to dam projects.

^{Çelebi Ağa Camii} (Culture Portal)

The minaret, fountain, dome transitions, and stonework elements of Çelebi Ağa Camii reflect a synthesis of classical Ottoman architecture with local stonemasonry traditions. The use of two-colored stone in the structure is notable both aesthetically and technically. The fountain, with its iwan form and arched niches, fulfills a public function that supports its environmental context.

^{Çelebi Ağa Camii} (Culture Portal)

Today, the mosque is located in the center of Pertek district and remains open for worship. It is regarded as a cultural landmark attracting both local and international visitors. Furthermore, the preservation of its architectural integrity and its continued functional use constitute a successful example of cultural heritage management in the region.

^{Çelebi Ağa Camii} (Culture Portal)