Fertek Church Mosque

Fertek Kilise Cami is located in the former town of Fertek (historically known as Phertakaina, Ferteki, Ferteköy, Fertekena, today Aydınyurt), approximately two kilometers southwest of the center of Niğde. Originally constructed to serve the Orthodox Christian community, the church was dedicated to H. Taxiarchoi.

Fertek Kilise CamiTürkiye Culture Portal)

Construction Date and Patron

The building’s Karamanlı inscription, now housed in the Niğde Museum, bears the date 1835 and names its patron, Fertekli Karamanoğlu Hacı Nikola Karamanlis. Some sources cite alternative construction dates of 1831 or 1837.

Conversion to a Mosque

On 7 December 1925, the building was officially converted into a mosque with permission, and a minbar and mihrap were added to the interior space. The original church architecture has been largely preserved.

Architectural Plan and General Features

Fertek Kilise Cami is a three-nave basilical structure oriented east-west. The central nave is wider and taller than the side naves and is covered by a barrel vault. Each nave is supported by five columns, which are connected to each other and to the side walls by semi-circular arches.

Narthex and Gallery Level

The narthex, located at the western end of the building, encircles the structure in a U-shape and projects outward with a semi-circular extension. The narthex has a flat wooden ceiling divided into five sections. Sixteen columns support the arches that form the narthex structure. Access to the gallery level is provided by a wooden staircase located in the prothesis section, and this gallery is also covered by a barrel vault.

Fertek Kilise CamiTürkiye Culture Portal

Apses and Pastophoria Spaces

The eastern end of the building features three apses. Internally, the apses are semi-circular, while externally they are articulated with flat facades enhanced by recesses. On either side of each apse are pastophoria chambers (diakonikon and prothesis) that connect to both the naos and the apses. These connections were sealed in later periods. A semi-circular niche in the style of an aedicula is notable in the north apse.

Materials and Facade Features

The building was constructed using yellowish cut stone and basalt. On the exterior façade, particularly on the narthex side, baroque relief decorations and a Karamanlı inscription are visible. On the north and south façades, three oval-shaped windows are arranged in the upper sections.

Interior Decorations

Calligraphic decorations draw attention on the arches and vaults of the naos. Additionally, figural wall paintings are present in the apses and pastophoria cells. The central apse and the north apse depict the Transfiguration, the south apse depicts the Panagia Mary, and the south face of the prothesis shows the Transfiguration scene. Five figures are depicted on the south and east side walls: two angels and three saints. The paintings on the north wall of the diakonikon have been damaged.