Orhan Gazi Camii

Orhan Gazi Camii is a significant wooden place of worship from the Ottoman period, located in Çayağzı Village, Akçakoca District of Düzce Province. It is believed to have been commissioned by Orhan Gazi, one of the founders of the Ottoman State, upon his arrival in the region in 1323. The structure is recognized as one of the most notable examples of the “bag-type” mosques in the area.

Exterior View of Orhan Gazi Camii (Source: Yusuf Bilal Akkaya)

History

In 1323, during a campaign to incorporate Skopje into Ottoman territory, Orhan Gazi and his army, due to the harsh winter conditions, arrived at and stayed in Çayağzı Village (then known as Aftun-i Rüfta). During this period, a mosque was constructed on a site beside a stream, using six large stones as supports for long tree trunks that were notched and joined together. In Ottoman archival records, the structure is referred to as “Sultan Orhan Camii Şerifi.”

Architectural Features

The mosque was built using the “bag technique” common in Anatolia during the Ottoman period. In this method, deep notches are carved into the interior of logs or planks, allowing them to be interlocked to form rectangular frames. The structure rests on large stone blocks instead of a conventional foundation and was constructed without the use of nails. This technique was chosen to enhance the durability of the wood and ensure the longevity of the building.

The building has a rectangular plan measuring 8.40 × 11.50 metres. Its foundation consists of logs placed atop ancient stone blocks. It features a gabled roof covered with traditional Turkish tiles and does not have a minaret.

Interior View of Orhan Gazi Camii (Source: Yusuf Bilal Akkaya)

Restoration and Conservation

The mosque was registered by the Ankara Council for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage on 16 October 1995 under decision number 4221. In 2007, it was restored by the General Directorate of Foundations. The restoration included renewal of the walls, floor, ceiling, the last prayer area, and the pulpit.

Gravestones and Cemetery

The area surrounding the mosque contains gravestones dating from the early Ottoman period to the late Ottoman period. Particularly notable are stones featuring a sarık motif. This cemetery underscores that the structure holds not only religious but also historical significance.

Significance

The historical Orhan Gazi Camii holds cultural heritage status as one of the rare surviving examples of Ottoman wooden architecture. Its construction using the bag technique offers an authentic representation of traditional Anatolian wooden building methods that have endured to the present day.