--- title: Sivas Ulu Mosque slug: sivas-ulu-mosque-215f5 url: /detay/sivas-ulu-mosque-215f5 type: article language: English entity: primary: Sivas Ulu Mosque type: article disambiguation: Explore Sivas Ulu Mosque, a historic Anatolian mosque built in 1197. Discover its unique architecture & leaning minaret. categories: - name: Architecture slug: mimari url: /kategori/mimari - name: History slug: tarih url: /kategori/tarih - name: Islam slug: islam url: /kategori/islam tags: - SivasUluMosque - SeljukArchitecture - İslam - IslamicArchitecture - Mosque - Sivas author: Hikmet Can Urhan created_at: 2025-05-28T15:09:05.107983+03:00 updated_at: 2025-06-14T00:36:41.326291+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/28/NqeGod21lRBqh9XR2rG7J3VvW5WDgvSi.jpg --- # Sivas Ulu Mosque ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Sivas Ulu Mosque ![deneme-parkasd_3634.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/28/miQbh09BogbtFGjz3ScTU91Z6NUaT77e.jpg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Architect(s) | Kul Ahi | | Construction Date(s)(Text) | 1196–1197 | | Conservation Status(es) | Registered and protected by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism | | Construction Materials | Rubble masonry,Ashlar (cut stone) | | Location | Sivas City Center / Türkiye | | Restoration History | 2020 – Comprehensive restoration project planned,1955 – Original mihrab uncovered | | Minaret | 117 cm tilted Currently undergoing restoration with steel anchors | | Load-Bearing System | 50 rough stone piers Connected with pointed arches | | Number of Entrances | 3 (all on the northern wall) | | Interior Dimensions | 54.70 x 33.70 meters | | Dynasty/Period | Anatolian Seljuks (Transitional Period) Influenced by the Danishmendid architectural tradition | | Build by | Kızılarslan bin İbrahim | | Architectural Style(s) | Kufic type,Flat-roofed,Rectangular plan | ## Article Content **Sivas Ulu Mosque** is one of the oldest mosques in [Anatolia](/en/detay/sivas-2/llms.txt), located in the city center of Sivas, Turkey. The structure was built in 1196–1197 during the reign of Kutb al-Din Melikshah by Kızılarslan bin İbrahim, and designed by the architect **Kul Ahi**. Due to its architectural style and historical context, it is considered one of the early examples of Anatolian [mosque](/en/detay/sivas-kale-camii-0df7a/llms.txt) architecture. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2026/02/11/sivas-ulu-mosque-215f5-deneme-parkasd_264.jpg) *Exterior View of Sivas Ulu Mosque (Sivas Municipality)* ### **Architectural Features** The [Sivas Ulu Mosque](/en/detay/sivas-ulu-camii-d018b/llms.txt) has interior dimensions of 54.70 meters by 33.70 meters. It features a closed plan with no courtyard and a flat roof. The northern facade has three entrances—one located at the center and the other two near the corners. The interior space is organized into eleven naves running perpendicular to the qibla wall in a north-south direction. These naves are separated by 50 rough stone piers, which are connected by pointed arches. The central nave, aligned with the mihrab axis, is wider than the others. ### **Materials and Masonry** The mosque is constructed using cut stone and rubble masonry techniques. There is no prominent stone ornamentation; its plain façade reflects the architectural simplicity of its time. Decorative elements on entrance doors and walls are extremely limited. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2026/02/11/sivas-ulu-mosque-215f5-WhatsApp%20Image%202020-01-15%20at%2014_29_46(1)(1).jpeg) *Interior View of Sivas Ulu Mosque (Turkiye Culture Portal)* ### **Mihrab** During restoration works in 1955, the original mihrab (prayer niche) was uncovered. The mihrab features geometric decorations composed of two nested octagons with square patterns formed by extending lines from their edges. This decoration style aligns with the early Islamic period’s geometric ornamentation traditions. Above the mihrab is a seven-tiered muqarnas niche that narrows upward. No inscriptions or vegetal motifs are present. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2026/02/11/sivas-ulu-mosque-215f5-20200115154027639_WhatsApp%20Image%202020%2001%2015%20at%2014.29.47(1).jpeg) *Mihrab of Sivas Ulu Mosque (Turkiye Culture Portal)* ### **Minaret and Structural Tilt** The [minaret](/en/detay/guduk-minare-0e11c/llms.txt) of the mosque was constructed independently at the northwest corner of the building. Today, it displays a tilt of 117 centimeters, making it one of the notable leaning minarets. Due to this tilt, the General Directorate of Foundations has launched a comprehensive restoration project. The restoration plan includes drilling down to the foundation level from inside the minaret using a core drilling technique, and reinforcing it with eight steel anchors. The project also aims to repair decayed parts of the structure, remove excess loads, and replace incompatible components without damaging the original fabric. The restoration will cover not only the minaret but also the mosque’s main structure, courtyard, and toilet facilities. ### **Cemetery and Ottoman Remains** On the mosque’s northeastern side, there is a cemetery (hazire) consisting of 23 Ottoman-era graves. This suggests that the mosque maintained its religious function over the centuries and that the surrounding area was regarded as sacred. ### **Historical Context** The mosque’s architectural characteristics and construction techniques have led some researchers to associate it with the [Danishmendid](/en/detay/danismendliler/llms.txt) period (1085–1178). In this context, it is compared with structures like [Niksar Ulu Mosque](/en/detay/ulucami/llms.txt) (1145), [Kayseri Ulu Mosque](/en/detay/cami-kebir-kayseri-ulu-cami-18c70/llms.txt) (12th century), and Yağıbasan Madrasa in Tokat (1151–52). Although the Danishmendids came under Seljuk rule in 1178, their architectural style persisted until the end of the century. Therefore, Sivas Ulu Mosque is considered a transitional-period monument. ### **Current Status and Conservation** The structure is protected by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Foundations. In the 2020s, extensive restoration projects were launched. The building was digitally documented using FPV drones, and structural analyses were conducted to guide future conservation efforts. The main objective of the restoration is to preserve the mosque’s original structure and ensure its sustainable use in the long term. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np7OV-qo37A) *Sivas Ulu Mosque Drone Footage (AA)* ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Agency. “827-Year-Old Ulu Mosque in Sivas Set for Comprehensive Restoration.” Anadolu Agency. Accessed May 10, 2025. 2. Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism. “Sivas Ulu Mosque – Sivas.” Turkey Culture Portal. Accessed May 10, 2025. https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/sivas/gezilecekyer/svas-ulu-cam 3. Sivas Municipality. “Sivas Ulu Mosque.” Sivas Municipality Official Website. Accessed May 10, 2025. https://sivas.bel.tr/yapi/sivas-ulu-cami ## Related Articles - [Unity 22](//detay/unity-22-751995/llms.txt) - [Unity 25](//detay/unity-25-752012/llms.txt) - [Atatürk and Congress Museum](//detay/ataturk-and-congress-museum-3e645/llms.txt) - [The Martian (Film)](//detay/the-martian-film-640dd/llms.txt)