The recent earthquake disaster in our country has caused great damage to historical structures that make up an important part of our history and have preserved their existence for thousands of years. The Southeastern Anatolia Region is home to important historical structures dating back to the earliest known periods of human history and carried to the present day. However, many of these precious structures could not withstand the earthquake and were damaged or completely destroyed.
Adiyaman Great Mosque
Located in the center of Adıyaman, the mosque was built by Dulkadirli Bey Durak Bey in 1505-1515. It took its present appearance in 1863. However, the mosque was damaged during the recent earthquake disaster. The history of the mosque dates back to the period when the Dulkadirli Principality ruled. Durak Bey built this mosque and created an important place of worship in the region. The mosque has preserved the architectural features of that period until today. However, the appearance of the mosque has changed with the repairs made over time. The last earthquake disaster caused damage to this historical mosque in the center of Adıyaman.
Hatay Sari Selim Mosque
This mosque, which was built by Mimar Sinan in 1574 by Sokullu Mehmet Pasha, has an important place in the field of Ottoman architecture. It was designed as a comprehensive complex consisting of a mosque, madrasa, primary school, arasta, inn, tabhane, soup kitchen, bath and fountain. The mosque section is covered with a large dome and supported by two smaller domes. Other sections such as the covered bazaar, caravanserai and primary school located next to the mosque also reflect the architectural style of the same period. The mosque was built in accordance with the classical Ottoman architectural style of the 16th century. However, the minaret of the mosque was destroyed in the last earthquake. The mosque and the rest of the complex were damaged but partially survived.
Adiyaman Kahta Castle
Kahta Castle, which was built as a summer capital during the Commagene period, preserved its existence throughout the Roman Period. However, the castle took its present form when the Mamluks ruled the region. Kahta was used as a district center by being associated with Elazig until the Republican period and remained that way until 1926. Today, it is among the buildings that were slightly damaged in the earthquake.
Antakya Great Mosque
Located in Hatay, this mosque is considered an important example of Seljuk architecture and is thought to have been built in the 16th century during the Mamluks period. This structure, which is among the oldest and largest mosques in the region, was unfortunately completely destroyed in the earthquake.
Historical Antep Houses
These historical houses in Gaziantep, which were damaged in the earthquake, are an important place that offers a journey into the old life of the city. The houses in Gaziantep’s Bey District allow you to step away from the density, noise and modern atmosphere of the city and step into an atmosphere with a historical texture. However, these historical houses were seriously damaged in the earthquake.
Gaziantep Bayazhan
Bayazhan is a building that has an important place in Gaziantep’s history. The building, which was built by the tobacconist Bayaz Ahmet Efendi in 1909, was used for commercial purposes for many years. It was restored by Gaziantep Municipality in 1998 and turned into a museum displaying the city’s culture and history. The structure was badly damaged in the earthquake and needs to be restored again.
Gaziantep Kurtulus Mosque
Valide Meryem Church (St. Mary) is a building that was first built in 1892. The building, which was converted into a mosque after serving as a church and prison, has become one of the largest mosques in Gaziantep. However, the minarets and dome that were built later were destroyed in the earthquake.
Sanliurfa Great Mosque
This building, which was built on the site of an old church known as the “Red Church”, is estimated to have been built by the Zengids between 1170-1175 by researchers, although the exact date of construction is not known. The courtyard walls, columns, column capitals and bell towers of the building have survived to the present day. After the Islamic conquests, it was called “Mescid-ül Hamra” (Red Masjid) because of its relationship with the church and the red marble used in its columns. However, its minaret was damaged in the last earthquake.
Kahramanmaras Grand Mosque
According to the charters, the mosque, which was built between 1442 and 1454 by Süleyman Bey, the ruler of the Dulkadiroğlu Principality, was damaged by the last earthquake, and a large part of its minaret was destroyed.
Sarimiye Mosque
The earthquake damaged Antakya Kurtuluş (Herod) Street, where historical buildings are located, and caused destruction in the area known as the world’s first illuminated street. Sarimiye Mosque is one of the historical buildings built in the 16th century and was badly damaged in the earthquake. The mosque, whose dome, minaret and some walls were destroyed, remained under the rubble.
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