Murat Paşa Camii (Erzurum)

Erzurum’s streets feature one of the oldest and most magnificent structures you will encounter: the Murat Paşa Camii. This mosque is not merely a building constructed from stone; it is a treasury of history, concealing hundreds of years of stories, legends, and art. Let us uncover the secrets beneath its vast dome!

When Was This Mosque Built?

The Murat Paşa Camii is the second Ottoman mosque built in Erzurum. In the year 1573, it was commissioned by Kuyucu Murat Paşa, a prominent statesman of the era. Since then, it has stood steadfast in the heart of the city for nearly 450 years.

What Is Inside the Mosque?

When you enter the mosque and look upward, you will see a central dome towering above you like a vast sky. This large dome rests upon special stone decorations at its corners and six sturdy columns. Around the dome are exactly twelve windows, through which light enters and illuminates the floral and leaf motifs adorning the interior.

Additionally, the wooden doors and windows of the mosque demonstrate the exceptional skill of Ottoman craftsmen. Made from walnut wood, these doors are assembled without a single nail, using a technique known as “kündekâri,” in which interlocking wooden pieces are fitted together precisely.

The Promise Given to Hızır Aleyhisselam

A fascinating legend is associated with the mosque. According to the tale, while overseeing its construction, Murat Paşa encountered Hızır Aleyhisselam in a dream. Hızır Aleyhisselam promised him that he would perform at least one of the five daily prayers in this mosque until the day it collapses. For this reason, the people of Erzurum believe that anyone who prays here will surely meet Hızır Aleyhisselam.

The Story of the Stonemason

Have you ever wondered how the bathhouse next to the mosque came to be built? One day, while inspecting the construction site, Murat Paşa noticed a worker repeatedly lifting a large stone up and then lowering it again. When asked why, the worker explained that he did not want to place the stone against the mosque wall until it was cleaned, as he had no means to do so. Deeply moved by this honesty, Murat Paşa immediately commissioned the Murat Paşa Hamamı for the workers and the public to use for cleaning.

A Journey Through Time

Built exactly 453 years ago in 1573 during the Ottoman period, this mosque is Erzurum’s second oldest Ottoman structure. Over the centuries, it has withstood numerous earthquakes, its columns protected by metal rings attached to them.

Murat Paşa Camii (Erzurum Valiliği)