Diyarbakır Ulu Cami

What do you say about embarking on a journey to the oldest mosque in Anatolia? The Diyarbakır Ulu Camii is not merely a place of worship; it resembles a vast historical tome filled with thousands of years of stories. This magnificent structure rises at the heart of the city, opening the doors of the past to its visitors.

Diyarbakır Ulu Cami(Diyarbakır Valiliği)

How Was Anatolia’s First Mosque Formed?

The Diyarbakır Ulu Camii holds the distinction of being the oldest mosque on Anatolian soil. When Muslim Arab forces arrived in Diyarbakır in 639, they converted the city’s largest place of worship, the Martoma Church, into a mosque. This event is regarded as one of the most significant milestones in the spread of Islam in the region.
The mosque is so revered that in the Islamic world it is considered the fifth holiest site (Harem-i Şerif), following the Kaaba in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. Its architectural design closely resembles the famous Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.

What Can Be Found Inside the Mosque?

The Ulu Camii resembles a large complex centered around a spacious courtyard. Surrounding this courtyard are several distinct sections:

Hanafi and Shafi’i Sections: Within the mosque, separate prayer areas are designated for followers of different Islamic schools of thought.
Madrasas: The Mesudiye and Zinciriye Madrasas, where students once received their education, are located immediately beside the mosque.

Lion and Bull Relief: At the eastern entrance of the mosque, you can observe fascinating stone carvings depicting the struggle between a lion and a bull.

Diyarbakır Ulu Cami (Diyarbakır Valiliği)

El Cezeri’s Magical Sundial

In the mosque’s courtyard stands a historic sundial made of marble, over 900 years old. It was designed by the renowned scholar El Cezeri, known as the “father of cybernetics.” As the sun moves across the sky, a metal rod casts a shadow that rotates precisely across the marble surface, indicating time with remarkable accuracy.

A Journey Through Time

Approximately 1400 years ago, in 639, when Diyarbakır was conquered by Muslim forces, this mosque was converted from the city’s largest church. Over time, numerous rulers including the Selçuklu Sultan Melikşah and Ottoman sultans repaired and enhanced the structure.