The Habib-i Neccar Mosque, located in the city center of Antakya, is considered the oldest mosque constructed in Anatolia. It holds a significant symbolic status within the early spread of Islam and the multi-faith structure of Antakya.
Historical Background
Antakya (Antioch), founded around 300 BC by Seleucus I Nicator, was a major center referred to as the “Queen of the East” during the Roman era. Influenced by Greek, Roman, and Byzantine cultures in Antiquity, the city also played a critical role in the emergence and dissemination of Christianity. It is accepted in Christian tradition that the term “Christian” was first used here. Antakya also served as a base for apostles such as St. Peter, Barnabas, and Paul.
After the conquest of Antakya in 638 by the Islamic army under Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah, one of Caliph Umar’s commanders, construction of Islamic architecture began. The first version of the Habib-i Neccar Mosque was built during this period, on top of a pagan Roman temple. In this respect, the mosque represents a spatial continuity of faiths.
Throughout its history, the mosque changed hands many times during the Byzantine, Seljuk, Crusader, and Mamluk periods. During Byzantine rule in 968, it was converted into a church; in 1084, it was turned back into a mosque by the Seljuks. After the Crusaders occupied the city in 1098, it was once again used as a church. In 1268, following the conquest of Antakya by Mamluk Sultan Baibars, the mosque was rebuilt.
During the Ottoman period, the mosque underwent various restorations. A Baroque-style minaret was added in the 17th century. The structure was destroyed in the major earthquake of 1854 and was rebuilt in the Ottoman architectural style by Sultan Abdülmecid. The present-day mosque is a product of this reconstruction effort.
Architectural Structure and Components
The Habib-i Neccar Complex is located on Kurtuluş Street in Antakya and consists of a mosque, two tombs, madrasa cells, an ablution fountain, and a courtyard. The structures are arranged around a trapezoidal courtyard. The mosque lies on the southern side of the courtyard, aligned parallel to the qibla, and features a transverse rectangular plan. It has a central dome and cross vaults on the sides. The mihrab is simple, while the minbar is made of marble. The entrance is through a monumental northern portal. The upper gallery (mahfil) is accessed via a spiral staircase built into the wall.
Beneath the mosque lies a two-story tomb chamber. The tomb includes sarcophagi attributed to Habib-i Neccar and Sham’un al-Safa. The tomb and the mosque are oriented in different directions. Another tomb located south of the courtyard entrance is known as the “Double Tomb” due to the presence of a single sarcophagus for two individuals. This tomb is attributed to John and Jonah. Next to the tomb is a minaret with a square base and a polygonal shaft. On the eastern side of the mosque are a women's prayer area and a cemetery.
The madrasa cells are lined along the northern and western sides of the courtyard. The ablution fountain in the northwest corner of the courtyard has a dodecagonal (12-sided) water reservoir and is in Baroque style. The layout of the structures within the complex has been arranged in harmony with the surrounding roads and plots.
Habib-i Neccar Mosque (Cultural Portal)
The Story of Habib-i Neccar
Although not directly named in either Islamic or Christian sources, Habib-i Neccar is considered a significant figure of faith in both traditions. According to a widespread belief among Muslims, he is the man mentioned in verses 13–29 of Surah Ya-Sin in the Qur’an, known as the “people of the city” narrative, who believed in the messengers and were killed by the people. According to exegetical sources, he was a carpenter who shared his income equally between his family and the needy, was afflicted with leprosy, and was killed for openly professing his faith.
While Christian sources also acknowledge Antioch as a city where early apostles were active, there is no direct parallel to the narrative in the Qur’an. However, some accounts suggest that Paul, John, and Sham’un preached in Antioch, making the presence of their tombs plausible.
A second tomb attributed to Habib-i Neccar is located on Mount Silpius in the northeast of Antakya. This mountain is commonly referred to as “Habib-i Neccar Mountain” and is considered the location where the Qur’anic story took place. According to legend, after being martyred, his head rolled from this mountain to the site where the mosque now stands.
Habib-i Neccar
According to tradition, Habib-i Neccar was a carpenter who lived in Antioch in the 40s CE. He believed in the preaching of Jesus’s disciples John and Paul and was killed by the townspeople because of his faith. Among Muslims, it is widely believed that he is the man mentioned in verses 13–29 of Surah Ya-Sin in the Qur’an. According to exegetes, this incident occurred in Antioch; the apostles were John, Paul, and Sham’un al-Safa (Simon Peter), and the believer was Habib b. Musa or Habib-i Neccar. Exegetical sources state that he was killed—either stoned or sawed in half—for publicly expressing his faith and calling people to belief.
The Mosque in the Context of Interfaith Tolerance
The Habib-i Neccar Mosque is a sacred site visited by both Muslims and Christians. Within Antakya’s multicultural and multi-faith structure, the mosque has become a space where different beliefs converge. The Church of St. Peter, Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant churches, as well as a Jewish synagogue, are all located near the mosque within the city’s urban fabric.
As part of the annual celebrations of St. Peter’s Day held in Antakya, the Habib-i Neccar Mosque is one of the sacred sites visited. In this respect, the mosque is a physical space where interfaith tolerance becomes visible. It also represents one of the rare examples where different religious communities come together in shared ritual practices, such as visiting tombs, lighting candles, and making votive offerings.
Habib-i Neccar Mosque (Hatay Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)
