Sungur Bey Mosque (Pertek – Tunceli)
Sungur Bey Camii is a very old Ottoman mosque located in the Pertek district of Tunceli. It was built in the 1500s, approximately 450 years ago. The mosque derives its name from its patron, a local administrator named Sungur Bey. At that time, Pertek was one of the significant settlements in Ottoman Eastern Anatolia.
Originally, the mosque stood on the banks of the Murat River. However, after the construction of the Keban Dam decades later, the old town of Pertek faced the threat of being submerged under water. Consequently, the mosque’s stones were individually numbered, dismantled, and then reconstructed with great care at its current location. This event is among the earliest examples in Türkiye of a historical structure being relocated and preserved!
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Architectural Features
Sungur Bey Camii was constructed with fine stonework characteristic of the Ottoman period. At its center is a large dome, while the entrance section is covered by three smaller domes. These domes rise gracefully toward the sky, giving the mosque an elegant appearance. The use of two different colored stones in the walls imparts both strength and aesthetic appeal to the structure. The windows are pointed-arched, allowing ample natural light to enter while facilitating easy airflow. The ornamented stone portal at the entrance and the minaret demonstrate the exceptional skill of Ottoman craftsmen.
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Relocation and Preservation
In the 1970s, during the construction of the Keban Dam, the mosque was at risk of being submerged. However, due to its historical value, scholars decided to save it.
Architects and engineers from Middle East Technical University carefully dismantled each stone of the mosque, labeling them with numbers. They then transported the stones to the new site and reassembled them exactly as they had been in the original structure. Thus, Sungur Bey Camii has survived to the present day, preserving both its history and beauty.
Sungur Bey Camii Today
Today, Sungur Bey Camii remains an active place of worship. The people of Pertek continue to perform prayers here. Additionally, tourists and researchers interested in architecture visit this beautiful structure.
The mosque’s story reminds us of the importance of respecting the past and safeguarding our cultural heritage.
