What is the Turkish Triangle?

The Turkish triangle is a specialized architectural element used to support domes commonly seen on the roofs of old mosques and tombs. It is employed when a circular or octagonal dome is to be placed above a square room.

It functions like a kind of “transition bridge”: the difference between the square or rectangular base and the circular dome is bridged by flat, sloping triangular surfaces. These triangular elements are known as “Turkish triangles”!

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-The Turkish triangle is placed at each of the four corners of the room.

-These triangular surfaces, narrowing upward, transfer the weight of the dome to the side walls.

-This allows the dome to stand in balanced equilibrium.

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-It was widely used in Seljuk, Beylik, and early Ottoman mosques in Anatolia.

-It can be seen in structures such as the Green Mosque in Bursa, the Nilüfer Hatun Imaret in Iznik, and the Emir Sultan Mosque.

-It is both a structurally strong and visually elegant transitional form.

-It reflects light and enhances acoustics beautifully.

-It creates a sense of upward movement within the space, producing a calming effect appropriate for places of worship such as mosques.

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-In another system known as the “pendentive,” the transition surfaces are curved inward, whereas the Turkish triangle features flat, sloping surfaces.

-The Turkish triangle enables the dome to sit more securely and broadly on the supporting structure.