Abdulatif Mosque

Abdüllatif (Latifiye) Camii is a mosque located south of Cumhuriyet Alanı in the city center of Mardin, commissioned in 1371 during the Artuklu period by Abdul Latif ibn Abdullah. Its transverse rectangular plan, dome over the mihrap area, stone ornamentation, and lengthy waqfiyya inscription reflect characteristics of the late period. The structure, along with its courtyard and a minaret that has been renovated or rebuilt in different eras, represents a multi-layered historical process.

The mosque is named after its founder and is also known as Latifiye Camii.

History

According to the inscription on the main portal, the mosque was built in 772 AH (1371 CE). It was commissioned by Abdüllatif ibn Abdullah, who served under the Artuklid sultans Melik Salih and Melik Muzaffer during the Artuklid period. In this regard, the Abdüllatif Camii is regarded as one of the final architectural works of the Artuklids in Mardin. The minaret has been renovated or reconstructed in different periods. It is recorded that the original minaret was built by Muhammad Ziya Tayyar Pasha, Governor of Egypt, while the current minaret was commissioned by Gürcü Mehmet Pasha, Governor of Mosul, between 1845 and 1846.

Architectural Plan and Spatial Organization

The building follows a transverse rectangular mosque typology. At the center of the main prayer hall stands a dome supported by pendentives over the mihrap area, which extends on either side into two naves covered by pointed barrel vaults.

Access from the courtyard to the main prayer hall is provided through three side-by-side entrances. The entrance on the eastern façade serves as the main portal and stands out as one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in Mardin. The entrance on the western façade is simpler in design. The mosque’s portal is constructed using two-colored stone and features a three-lobed arch. Above the portal are geometric motifs, woven ornamentation, and star-shaped decorative elements. These details are among the significant architectural features reflecting the distinctive stone craftsmanship of the Artuklid period.

Abdüllatif (Latifiye) Camii (Republic of Türkiye Mardin Governorship)

One of the most striking interior features is the lengthy waqfiyya inscription that runs above the windows along the mihrap wall. This inscription is an important epigraphic source providing information on the mosque’s endowment and administrative functioning.

Wooden Architectural Elements

The mosque’s entrance doors, minbar, and mahfil are among the original examples of late-period Seljuk woodwork. In particular, the late-period minbar draws attention through its intricate carpentry and segmented kiosk dome.

Minbar (Türkiye Culture Portal)

Courtyard and Medrese Section

To the north of the courtyard stands an eyvan with a selsebil, an arrangement considered a continuation of a traditional feature found in early Islamic architecture. The northern wing of the courtyard is opened by pointed arches resting on cut stone piers and covered by cross vaults. On the eastern and western wings, two-story medrese sections are arranged. However, significant alterations were made to the courtyard following interventions in 1968; in particular, the northern wing was walled off and converted into individual rooms.