Sara Hatun Camii

Sara Hatun Camii was built as a mosque in 1465 by Sara (Sare) Hatun, mother of Akkoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan, in the Elazığ district of Harput. This structure, bearing the religious and architectural traces of the Akkoyunlu period, stands out as a significant building that influenced the direction of Ottoman settlement in Harput.

Over time, the mosque underwent various repairs and structural modifications to reach its current form. The first major restoration was carried out in 1585 by Hacı Mustafa, and in 1843, Harput Mufti Hacı Ahmet Efendi completely demolished and rebuilt the mosque. During this process, much of the original Akkoyunlu architecture was lost. Extensive restoration works were later conducted in 1996 and between 2006 and 2007.

_{Sara Hatun Camii} (Türkiye Turizm Ansiklopedisi)

In its present form, the mosque has a square plan with a dome resting on four thick columns at its center. The side areas are supported by barrel vaults. The final prayer hall consists of three units, each covered by a dome. The mihrab is a simple niche made of cut stone. The marble minbar is a notable element due to its stonework. The mosque was constructed using rough-hewn stone blocks, and its southern and eastern walls are supported by four buttresses.

_{Sara Hatun Camii Minaret} (Harput)

Evliya Çelebi noted during his visit to Harput in 1656 that the mosque lacked a minaret. The current minaret, according to some sources, was built in 1898; however, an inscription on the minaret itself indicates a construction date of 1889. Constructed using two-colored cut stone, the minaret adds visual richness to the structure.

_{Cemşit Bey Hamamı} (Harput)

To the west of the mosque stands the Cemşit Bey Hamamı, built in the first half of the 16th century by Cemşit (Cimşit) Bey, a sipahi bey under Yavuz Sultan Selim. The changing room is square in plan and covered by a dome. The bathing area features four iwan-style sections, with a domed private chamber in each corner. This structure reflects Harput’s culture of cleanliness and is no longer in use today.

Sara Hatun Camii served as the central mosque of Harput. The presence of a musalla stone within this mosque alone confirms its role as the primary place of worship of its time. Evliya Çelebi mentioned both the mosque and the hamam in his 17th-century travelogue, while Şemseddin Sâmi provided detailed accounts of Harput’s built environment in his work “Kamüsü’l Âlâm”.

Today, Sara Hatun Camii remains open for worship and is an important structure reflecting Harput’s historical and cultural heritage. The El Emeği – Göz Nuru Çarşısı located opposite the mosque contributes to the preservation of local crafts and regional production. The building, through both its architectural features and historical context, remains a vital component of the region’s cultural fabric.

_{Sara Hatun Camii Entrance} (Türkiyenin Tarihi Eserleri)