Restored with Gold

Aziziye Mosque in Konya, a late Ottoman structure with windows larger than its doors, attracts great interest from local and foreign tourists. 

Mehmet Pıçak, President of the Aziziye Mosque Protection and Preservation Association, said, “The reason why its windows are larger than its doors is that they allow more light in and provide a warm environment. Around 6-7 kilograms of gold were used during the restoration of Aziziye Mosque.”

DESIGNED BY THE ARMENIAN BALYAN FAMILY

The reconstruction of the mosque, which began with the support of Sultan Abdulaziz’s mother Pertevniyal Valide Sultan, was designed by the Armenian Balyan family in baroque and rococo architectural style. In 1874, the mosque was completed and reopened for worship. Drawing attention with its extraordinary architecture, Aziziye Mosque is the only mosque whose windows are larger than its doors.

DAMAGED IN THE GREAT FIRE

Located in the Bedesten Bazaar in the Karatay district, the Aziziye Mosque was built by Damat Mustafa Pasha, the accountant of Mehmed IV, between 1671 and 1676. The mosque was damaged in the great Konya fire of 1867.

‘’ONE OF THE RARE WORKS IN Türkiye’’

 Mehmet Pıçak, President of the Aziziye Mosque Protection and Preservation Association, stated that the mosque has a unique place among Islamic works and made the following statements:  “Aziziye Mosque was built in 1671 with shops underneath. It became completely unusable in the great Konya fire of 1867. In 1874, it was rebuilt by Pertevniyal Valide Sultan under the name Aziziye Mosque to be dedicated to her son Sultan Abdulaziz. Since that year, it has been one of the rare works in Turkey as a foundation mosque.’’

‘’The reason why the windows are bigger than the doors is that they benefit from more sunlight and provide a warm environment. When we look at the works of the Armenian Balyan family, we see that large windows were used in the Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque and the Beylerbeyi Palace. During the restoration of the Aziziye Mosque, around 6-7 kilograms of gold were used. In order to highlight that magnificence better, the windows were used larger than the doors.’