The Ulu Mosque, located in the Sur district of Diyarbakır, attracts attention not only with its magnificent structure but also with the secrets it holds. This building, known as the first mosque in Anatolia, houses the Mar Toma Church, which very few people are aware of. This church, which dates back to before Christ, is considered an important symbol of Christianity in the region. Today, when the carpet of the mosque is removed, it is possible to see part of the church.
The secrets of the Diyarbakır Grand Mosque include various interesting elements that are hidden in its thousands of years of history and are still waiting to be discovered today. Located in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque antique sundialhas attracted attention for how it has measured time for more than 800 years. The technical details of this clock and its functionality over time amaze visitors.
Water channel under the mosque It shows the engineering skills of that period and how water was transported to the mosque. These technical details provide important clues about the level of knowledge and skill of the period when the mosque was built.
Features and History of Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque
Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque, on the walls of Diyarbakır Castle Harput Gate with Mardin GateIt is located to the west of the axis connecting . In 639 AD, the largest temple in the center of the city was built by the Muslim Arabs who dominated Diyarbakır.Martoma Church) was converted into a mosque.
From his inscriptions, in 1091 Great Seljuk Ruler MelikşahWe learn that it underwent a major restoration by the order of the Sultan and took its current form with many repairs and additions in various periods. After the fire and earthquake in 1115, the arches, columns and decorated stones inside were completely destroyed and the marble stones outside spread after this date.
Diyarbakır Grand Mosque is interpreted as a reflection of Anatolia due to its similarity to the famous Damascus Umayyad Mosque of the early Islamic period. 5th Harem-i Sharif of the Islamic world It is accepted as.
Also in the mosque, father of cybernetics famous scholar who is considered as Sundial made by Al Jazari There are. The maksures located in the east and west of the large courtyard, the Hanafiler Mosque in the south, the Şafiiler Mosque and Mesudiye Madrasa in the north, and the Zinciriye Madrasah near the western entrance of the mosque constitute a group of buildings that bring together religious and cultural structures.
It is said that El Cezeri (Imam Cezeri) gave his first lesson in Zinciriye Madrasa. The reason why the doors of the madrasa are small is explained as the need to bow when entering to show respect to the great scholars inside.
Architectural decorations, reliefs and inscriptions from different periods are placed in great harmony on the courtyard facades of the Ulu Mosque. Although no name is given as the architect, Zeki Sönmez suggests that the architect named “Muhammed Bin Salame el-Ruhavi” may have worked in this building, based on the fact that he worked under Melikşah in the same period.
Mar Toma Church Located Under Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque
Like many historical buildings in Diyarbakır Mar Toma Church It also has a history dating back to before Christ. Evangelist Mar Aday, brother of the apostle Mar Toma, came to the region to spread the good news. Diyarbakır was located in the region where the Urfa (Abgar) Kingdom ruled at that time.
Hz. Kara Abgar V, the first king to accept Christianity with the delegation and letter he sent to Jesus Christ, and his people built churches and monasteries instead of pagan temples. Mar Toma Church, located in the center of Diyarbakır, was also built during this period. Today, the church is located under the Ulu Mosque.When you go to the mosque By lifting the bottom of the carpet, you can see a part of the church that is closed with glass.
It is stated in various sources that Mar Toma Cathedral started as a temple in BC, was converted into a church with Christianity, and reflected the dense Assyrian population in Diyarbakır. In 639 AD, first part of it and then all of it was converted into a mosque, and it took its current form with additions made during the Seljuks, Artuqids, Akkoyunlus and Ottomans.
Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque, the oldest mosque in Anatolia, is one of the five places considered sacred by Muslims. Architecturally similar is the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, formerly the Church of Mar John. Ulu Mosque, which is a unique mosque with its rectangular structure, attracts attention with its lace-like processing of hard local stones, flawless decorations, columns and architectural structure. In addition, grape and vine motifs, which are symbols of Christianity, are also included in the building as a reflection of ancient times and arouse admiration.
Water Channels Under Diyarbakır Grand Mosque
Mysterious water channels and tunnels allegedly located under the Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, It has attracted great attention from travelers and researchers throughout history. There is very interesting information about how these canals meet the water needs of the city.
The famous person who visited Amid (Diyarbakır) in 1046 traveler Nasir-i KhosrowIt mentions the existence of a spring of water in the middle of the city, gushing from a hard rock and flowing strong enough to turn a mill. It states that no one knows the source of this water and that the trees and gardens fed by this water add a unique beauty to the city. Nasır-ı Hüsrev states that he finds Diyarbakır different and unique from other cities.
As the research deepens, an old and impressive legend is told about the water under Diyarbakır. According to the legend, Before the Mar Toma Church, there was a magnificent palace where the Grand Mosque is located today. A king and his beautiful daughter lived in this palace. The king would not allow his daughter to step outside the palace to protect her from all kinds of danger.
The king’s daughter grew up without ever seeing the world outside the palace, and different entertainments were organized every day to relieve her boredom. However, these entertainments become monotonous over time and the girl tells her father that she should find a new entertainment or that she wants to go out of the palace and explore the world.
The king does not know what to do about his daughter’s request and eventually decides to build a large lake under the city and take his daughter on a boat ride there. This unique entertainment idea will make your daughter’s eyes sparkle and rides on the water will take away her boredom. The king is ready to do anything for his daughter’s happiness, and this lake offers him a way to explore the world without leaving the palace. This interesting story spread among the public over time and became a legend. People begin to say that Diyarbakır actually stands on water and that one day it will sink into this water and disappear.
Diyarbakır’s Largest Building Group Ulu Mosque
Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque is the largest and most important group of buildings in the city. On the courtyard facades of this historical mosque, there are architectural details from different periods. decorations, reliefs and inscriptions exists in great harmony. Ulu Mosque, which has served as a center of worship in every period, consists of two mosques (Hanefis and Shafis sections), two madrasahs (Mesudiye and Zinciriye), east-west maksure, minaret and ablution areas. There is a large, rectangular courtyard in the middle of this complex.
Entrance to the mosque is provided through three separate doors. The main crown gate in the east is the main entrance gate and has symmetrical relief figures symbolizing the fight between the lion and the bull on both corners. This wide arch is a magnificent door opening to the courtyard. The mosque, planned in a rectangular shape, has many columns.
The Legend of the Snake Transforming into a Piece of Iron
The Ulu Mosque has many stories and legends that attract the attention of local and foreign tourists. One of these legends is as follows:
Once upon a time, one of God’s saintly servants lived near the Grand Mosque. One day, while this saintly servant was praying in the courtyard with his prayer mat on the ground, Iblis came in the form of a snake and wrapped itself around his neck and wanted to prevent him from praying. But at that very moment The snake turned into a piece of iron and was placed among the stones of the Ulu Mosque as a lesson. Even today, this snake-shaped iron can still be seen when viewed from the inner courtyard of the part of the Ulu Mosque used as the library.
The Sundial That Has Been Telling the Time for Eight Centuries
Sun clockIt is located in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque and about 800 years old This important work, which has a long history, stands out as one of the rare examples that time has not worn out. The sundial shows the time precisely by using the shadow created by the movements of the sun on a metal rod placed on a column with a capital. Although cracks have appeared on the marble surface of this antique clock, which has been functioning since the first day it was found in the courtyard, over time, it is surrounded by iron bars for protection. While exploring Diyarbakır, visitors stop in front of this historical sundial of the Ulu Mosque and take souvenir photos.
The sundial in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque, one of the pioneers of cybernetics counted Famous scientist from Diyarbakır Imam CezeriIt is the work of. This sundial, placed on a titled column in the courtyard, shows the time by rotating its metal piece with the movement of the sun, creating a shadow. It is known that this clock, which has a history of more than 800 years, was first located in Dağkapı Square in Diyarbakır. Afterwards, it was moved to the courtyard of the Grand Mosque to avoid any damage.
To join our WhatsApp group CLICK!
