The Ak Mosque: A magnificent example of Seljuk architecture

The Ak Mosque is the largest mosque in Seljuk district located in Sille-Ak neighborhood. The mosque is adorned with intricate wooden decorations and carvings, and features two pulpit designs, each with its own unique style. The mihrab niche is especially detailed, with several borders of different designs created using the mail cutting technique. The mosque is a beautiful example of Seljuk architecture and a must-see attraction in the district.   

Ak Mosque is the largest mosque in the Seljuk district, located in Sille-Ak neighborhood. The mosque is illuminated by three peaked windows facing west, six large rectangular windows and five small rectangular windows facing south. There are no peaked windows on the east side, and there are large windows that open to the summer section on the lower level. There are no windows on the north facade. The ceiling is a flat, plastered roof on a dense wooden beam structure. To access the roof, you have to go through the door on the mezzanine floor and climb the stairs.

The mosque has a pulpit on the east side of the mihrab and another pulpit on the east wall. The pulpit on the east side of the mihrab is made of wood, while the pulpit on the east wall is made of wood that has been processed using the technique of mail-cutting. The top of the mihrab is covered with a half-dome and the mihrab niche is covered with geometric wooden carvings. Curved branch, leaf, crescent and star motifs are used in the corners.

The mihrab niche is designed with highly detailed craftsmanship. It is surrounded by several different borders from the inside out. The first border has geometric reliefs, while the second border is adorned with flowers, curved branches, and "S" motifs created using the mail-cutting technique. A convex-concave profiled border follows, and then another border is created again using the mail-cutting technique. A border with concave and convex reliefs comes next, and on the outermost layer, there is a border in the shape of an inverted "U" frame. The mihrab has a curved top section. The inside of the top section is also decorated with flower, curved branch, and leaf motifs created using the mail-cutting technique.

The pulpit is known as the most magnificent of the pulpits in Sille mosques. The eastern and western surfaces are decorated in different styles using the mail-cutting technique. The decoration on the eastern surface is denser. This different style is also repeated on the pulpit railings.