Habib-i Neccar Camii

The First Mosque in Anatolia

The Habib-i Neccar Camii, located in the center of Antakya, is known as the oldest mosque within the borders of Türkiye. It was constructed in 638 CE, following the Muslim Arab conquest of Antakya. The mosque is named after Habib-i Neccar, a carpenter who believed in the disciples of Prophet Jesus and lost his life for this faith. His story is associated with the narrative recounted in the Yasin Sura of the Qur’an.

(Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Who Was Habib-i Neccar?

According to tradition, in the 40s CE, the disciples of Prophet Jesus arrived in Antakya to spread the belief in one God. Although most of the population opposed them, a carpenter named Habib-i Neccar embraced their faith. As public anger grew, Habib-i Neccar openly supported the messengers, but was killed in the process. It is said that his head rolled to the location of the present-day türbe.

The Historical Journey of the Mosque

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Architectural Features

The mosque forms a külliye comprising a courtyard, two türbes, madrasa rooms, and a şadırvan.

• Türbes: The tombs attributed to Habib-i Neccar, Sham’un Safa, Yuhanna, and Pavlos are located here.
• Minaret: It has a square base, a polygonal shaft, and a canopy-style balcony.
• Harim (Prayer Hall): It is single-nave, domed, and covered on the sides with cross vaults.
• Şadırvan: Built in the 19th century, it has a twelve-sided plan.