Kadırga Yaylası Üstü Açık Camii

Open-Air Mosque (Kadırga Yaylası Open-Air Mosque) is a historical place of worship located within the boundaries of the Kürtün district of Gümüşhane province, along the Gümüşhane-Trabzon border. Situated at an elevation of 1,800 meters above sea level on Kadırga Yaylası, the structure has a history spanning 565 years as of 2026. With no enclosed space or roof, the mosque has functioned for centuries as a venue where local communities perform worship outdoors directly on the grass.

History

Written sources and local narratives trace the mosque’s founding to the year 1461, coinciding with the region’s conquest by the Ottoman Empire. According to tradition, Fatih Sultan Mehmet visited Kadırga Yaylası to pay respects at the grave of a companion during the conquest of Trabzon. As the day coincided with Friday prayers, a space was designated for him and his soldiers to pray, and the area was enclosed with stones.^【1】

Accounts also state that Fatih Sultan Mehmet had a dream urging the improvement of the site and its enclosure with stones. Following this event, low stone walls were constructed around the area, and from the time of the conquest onward, it became a regularly used open-air place of worship for Friday prayers.^【2】The structure is regarded as a legacy of history and a site of high spiritual value.^【3】

Kadırga Yaylası Üstü Açık Camii(AA)

Architectural Structure and Spatial Features

The Open-Air Mosque is distinguished by the absence of traditional mosque elements such as domes, roofs, and exterior walls. Its physical features consist of the following:

• Ground Structure: The mosque floor consists entirely of natural grass, and worshippers perform their prayers directly on this natural surface.
• Boundary Walls: The mosque’s perimeter is marked by a low stone wall that separates the prayer area from the surrounding pastureland.
• Minarets: Although the original structure has been preserved, two white minarets have been added to the site over time.
• Flag Usage: A large Turkish flag is hung at the midpoint between the two minarets.^【4】
• Preservation Status: Aside from the later-added minarets, no structural modifications have been made to the site, which retains its original features from the time of Fatih Sultan Mehmet.

Management and Staff

The mosque’s religious services are coordinated by the Kürtün District Muftiate of Gümüşhane. Due to its location, there is no permanent settlement in the area during winter months, and the mosque operates only during the summer season. In accordance with official directives from the Kürtün Subgovernorship, a religious official is dispatched to the mosque every Friday. The assigned imams are responsible for leading Friday prayers and fulfilling religious duties.

Social and Cultural Impact

The mosque serves as a shared gathering point for transhumant communities from Trabzon, Giresun, and Gümüşhane provinces. Particularly on the third Friday of July, the site experiences a large influx of visitors, and this date is recognized as a traditional day of worship.^【5】

Friday prayers attended by thousands of worshippers are regarded as a unifying force that strengthens feelings of solidarity within the region. Worshippers describe the spiritual atmosphere of the mosque using terms such as “peace,” “reverence,” and “serenity.” The preservation of the structure as a heritage passed from generation to generation holds significant cultural importance for the region.