Mahmut Bey Mosque

One of the most original examples of the wooden mosque tradition in Anatolian Turkish architecture, the Mahmut Bey Camii is located in the village of Kasaba, within the central district of Kastamonu. Built in 1366 during the Candaroğulları Beylik period by Mahmut Bey, the structure is distinguished by its construction using the lap-joint technique without nails and its original ink-painted decorative elements within the interior space. The mosque’s architectural features, decorative repertoire, and preserved structural integrity have secured it a prominent position among medieval Anatolian mosques. With these qualities, Mahmut Bey Camii was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2014 and subsequently inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2023 under the title “Medieval Wooden Structural Mosques of Anatolia”.

Mahmut Bey Camii (North Anatolia Development Agency)

Historical Background

Mahmut Bey Camii belongs to the architectural tradition of the Beyliks Period in Anatolia. The Candaroğulları Beylik emerged in the late 13th century following the decline of Anatolian Seljuk State and established dominance over the Kastamonu region and its surroundings for approximately two centuries. During this period, numerous architectural works were constructed, particularly religious buildings. Mahmut Bey Camii stands out among these for its wooden architecture. According to its foundation inscription, the structure was built in 1366 and is among the rare mosques in Anatolia constructed using the nail-free lap-joint technique. The mosque’s construction date has also been corroborated by dendrochronological analyses.

The history of Kasaba Village extends even further back. This area, one of the earliest settlements of Principality of Çobanoğulları, has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Era according to archaeological evidence. The village bears traces from the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods and is regarded as an important cultural landscape due to its natural structure and historical fabric.

Architectural Structure and Material Characteristics

Mahmut Bey Camii was constructed with a rectangular plan oriented north-south. The building measures approximately 17.9 × 11.55 metres. Its exterior walls are built of rubble stone, while the interior space is entirely constructed of wood. Plaster was used in the mihrab and window frames, and marble was preferred for the lintels of the entrance door.

The roof covering was constructed using the lap-joint technique without nails or metal components. The wooden load-bearing system consists of four main vertical posts, two of which have dodecagonal cross-sections and two circular ones. Mortise-and-tenon joinery was employed in the connections of the load-bearing wooden system, thereby eliminating the risk of corrosion and ensuring the structure’s longevity.

The wooden posts of the load-bearing system rest on stone pedestals and are adorned with carving, inlay, and ink-painting techniques. The wooden ceiling system inside the mosque is detailed with bevelled beams, lap-joint connections, and wooden pendants. The women’s prayer area is divided into three sections. The ceiling beams and floor junctions are made of wood and joined exclusively using mortise-and-tenon systems without any nails. This technique enhanced both durability and the structure’s long-term preservation.

Decorations and Artistic Features

The decorative elements in the mosque were executed using the ink-painting technique with natural pigments, designed to harmonize with the wooden surface. A rich colour palette including red, blue, yellow, green, black, white, and cream tones was employed. The compositions feature plant and geometric motifs alongside principles of symmetry and repetition.

Original ink-painted wooden ceiling details of Mahmut Bey Camii (Culture Portal)

The ceiling consists of three sections: a central section and two side sections. The undersides of the beams are covered with ornamental mouldings, and wooden pendants are placed in the central areas. Geometric patterns adorn the wooden gallery balustrades, and access to the gallery is provided via wooden step staircases.

The minbar is made of pine wood, with only the base retaining its original condition. The minbar is decorated using ajur and chitakari techniques, with ten-pointed star motifs drawing particular attention. The minbar’s canopy is pyramidal in form and adorned with four-tiered muqarnas. The mihrab is defined by stepped borders extending from outside to inside, with muqarnas niches designed in elongated almond shapes.

Interior view of Mahmut Bey Camii showing wooden ceiling decorations and load-bearing columns (Culture Portal)

Wooden Entrance Door

One of the most striking features of Mahmut Bey Camii is its wooden entrance door, crafted by the Ankara-based calligrapher and craftsman Mahmud oğlu Abdullah. This double-leaf door, decorated with geometric and vegetal motifs, was made using the inlay technique. Circular and teardrop-shaped panels on the door feature star and floral patterns. The door, resting on a marble threshold, was illegally removed and stolen in 1972; it was later recovered and placed under protection at the Kastamonu Ethnography Museum. Today, a replica made by the Kastamonu wood artisan Hikmet Değirmencioğlu stands in its place.

Wooden entrance door crafted with carving art by Ankara-based Nakkaş Mahmutoğlu Abdullah (Culture Portal)

Gallery and Other Wooden Elements

The gallery section of the mosque consists of four distinct galleries at different levels. The floor beams resemble the ceiling beams in design. The upper sections of the wooden posts are decorated with white geometric motifs on a red background, while the lower sections feature black-framed white alternating arrow motifs on a red background.

On the side walls, green vegetal motifs appear on a red background. In the circular-sectioned posts on the north side, each motif is rendered in a different colour.

Construction Technology and Preservation

Silver fir wood was used in the roof structure of Mahmut Bey Camii. Although silver fir is susceptible to insect infestation, no such damage has been observed in the mosque, a fact attributed to the technical choices made during its construction. According to tradition, the trees were cut during the coldest winter months, at the time of the full moon. During this period, trees release their sap into the ground, naturally enhancing their durability. This traditional knowledge is supported by a verse from the divan poet Feride Hanım:

“If you wish to make clogs, cut the root from the bark,

If you wish to leave a legacy, cut the tree in the harshest winter.”

It is also reported that organic materials such as camel hide, straw bales, and ostrich eggs were used in the mosque’s construction. These materials are believed to have served purposes of moisture control and pest prevention.

Conservation and Restoration Process

Throughout its long history, Mahmut Bey Camii has undergone various repairs. Initial restoration efforts began in the 19th century and were continued in the 1940s by the Ministry of National Education and the Turkish Historical Society. After the earthquake of 1943, the minaret collapsed and was rebuilt in 1945. In the 1960s, the General Directorate of Foundations renewed the minaret again, and in the 1980s, a comprehensive restoration was carried out with contributions from Middle East Technical University and Hacettepe University. In the 2000s, restoration projects specifically targeted the prevention of moisture and biological deterioration. Within this framework, interior lighting was restricted, and the roof and exterior walls were renewed.

To preserve the wooden decorations, the internal climate balance was carefully monitored and vulnerable areas were isolated. The surrounding area of the mosque was also reorganized, with the addition of toilets, ablution facilities, and souvenir units for visitors. Informational signage inside and around the mosque has been expanded, though insufficient information remains a significant issue.

Historical and Cultural Context

Mahmut Bey Camii in Kasaba Village is regarded as one of the most advanced examples of the artistic and architectural achievements of the Candaroğulları Beylik. Land parcels donated to the mosque are recorded in the 1374 foundation deed of Mahmut Bey. The mosque came under the ownership of the General Directorate of Foundations in 2005.

The structure has undergone multiple repairs over time. The most recent restorations were carried out in 2007 and 2008. The mosque has maintained its function as a continuously used place of worship. Due to fire risk, it is currently used only for Friday prayers.

UNESCO World Heritage Process and Inscription

Mahmut Bey Camii was first added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites on 15 April 2014. This process was led by the Kastamonu Provincial Directorate and coordinated by the Northern Anatolia Development Agency (KUZKA), which established the “UNESCO Table”.

At the 25th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2023, Mahmut Bey Camii, together with the Ulu Mosque of Afyonkarahisar, the Ahi Şerefeddin Mosque of Ankara, the Ulu Mosque of Sivrihisar in Eskişehir, and the Eşrefoğlu Mosque of Beyşehir in Konya, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Türkiye’s first “serial nomination”.

Tourism and Promotion Potential

Mahmut Bey Camii and Kasaba Village hold significant potential as a cultural tourism destination in Kastamonu. Surveys and observations indicate that visitors are largely satisfied with the structure, but deficiencies exist in terms of accessibility and promotion. Limited access to Kasaba Village and insufficient promotional activities have prevented the mosque from attracting adequate numbers of visitors. The limited number of souvenir stalls around the mosque fail to extend the time visitors spend in the village.

It is recommended to increase guided tour services, update information panels, and expand environmental improvements to encourage visitors to spend more time at the site. Simultaneously, other historical structures in the village—the Camii Hamam, Pazariçi Hamam, and wooden mansions—should be restored and integrated into a tourist route. These developments will also contribute to the process of securing Mahmut Bey Camii’s permanent inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Commemorative Coin

The General Directorate of Mint and Printing Office produced 3,000 commemorative coins made of 925 silver for the mosque. The obverse features an exterior view of the mosque, while the reverse displays a section of its decorative elements. These coins have been available for sale since 17 January 2025.

Issued Commemorative Coin (Anadolu Agency)