Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced in his social media post that 6 centuries-old temples, whose restoration was completed in Diyarbakır and Bingöl, will meet their congregations again.
Ersoy stated that within the scope of the works carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations, Ali Pasha, Melik Ahmet Pasha, Parlı Safa, Cafer-i Tayyar and Hanbaşı mosques in Diyarbakır and Balaban Bey Mosque in Bingöl were made ready for worship again, and stated that the works will open their doors tomorrow, October 2, with Friday prayers.
Emphasizing that the original textures of the works were preserved and restored, Ersoy said:
"We repaired earthquake damage and strengthened our structures through scientific studies in each of our works. We revived our ancestral heritage, from historical stonemasonry to tiles, from wooden elements to hand-carved works, while preserving its original texture."
Ersoy thanked those who contributed to the restoration of historical temples and wished that the mosques that would be reopened for worship would be beneficial to Diyarbakır and Bingöl.
The mass opening program of the six works will be held at Ali Pasha Mosque in Sur district of Diyarbakır.
CENTURY-OLD WORKMANSHIP WAS PRESERVED IN ALI PASHA MOSQUE
In the Ali Pasha Mosque, built by Hadım Ali Pasha in the 16th century, strengthening and restoration projects were reconsidered under the supervision of the scientific committee due to static problems that emerged after the earthquakes.
Unqualified floors, concrete cover and beams were removed and the upper cover was renewed in accordance with Diyarbakır's traditional roof system. Earthquake-induced cracks and ruptures were resolved with structural strengthening and injection applications. The original kundekari shutters, wooden pulpit, ceiling coverings and tiles were reinstalled after the conservation work.
THE HEAVILY DAMAGED MINARET OF PARLI SAFA WAS REINFORCED
In the Parlı Safa Mosque, which is thought to have been built in the 15th century, the heavy damage caused by the earthquakes, especially on the minaret, was repaired. The foundation and ground condition of the minaret, which was secured with steel belts and tensioners due to large cracks and piece losses; It was examined by drilling, geophysical examination and research excavations.
While anchoring, injection and stone repairs were carried out on the minaret, the tiles, flooring, pencil work, plaster and paint of the mosque and the work in the madrasah sections were also completed. Structural safety was ensured by preserving the original architectural character of the building.
CAFER-İ TAYYAR MOSQUE AND TOMB IS READY FOR WORSHIP AGAIN
In the Cafer-i Tayyar Mosque and Tomb, whose exact construction date is unknown, extensive work was carried out on different parts of the structure, especially the historical minaret, which was heavily damaged in the earthquake.
Following the ground and foundation examinations, repair and strengthening applications were carried out on walls, vaults and roof coverings. The honeycomb and cone sections of the minaret, some of the stones of which were destroyed in the earthquake, were completed with their original stones. The mosque and the tomb were made ready for worship again.
THE ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE OF HANBAŞI MOSQUE HAS BEEN REVEALED
Repair works at the Hanbaşı Mosque, built by Hacı Muhammed in 1853, started in 2022 and continued with strengthening and restoration practices under the supervision of the scientific committee after the February 6 earthquakes.
In the building, which was strengthened by injection method, reinforced concrete extensions were removed and the roof and facades were renewed in accordance with its original texture. The original architectural elements of the mosque were revealed with the work in the narthex and the harim section.
STRENGTHENING FROM DOME TO FOUNDATION IN MELİK AHMET PASHA MOSQUE
In the Melik Ahmet Pasha Mosque, which was built between 1587 and 1591, repair and strengthening works were carried out for the cracks detected in the dome, squinches and load-bearing walls after the earthquakes.
The basic condition of the building was examined by drilling, research excavation and georadar studies. While the dome and pulley were strengthened, injection applications were made on the floor and walls. With the completion of the lead covering, plaster, carpet and pen work, the historical mosque was prepared to host its community again.
AKKOYUNLU HERITAGE WAS REVISED IN BINGOL
In the Balaban Bey Mosque, which has survived from the Akkoyunlu period to the present day, the minaret, which was severely damaged in the earthquake, was dismantled in a controlled manner and rebuilt in accordance with the original construction techniques.
Repairs were made to the roof, courtyard, harim and mahfil sections of the mosque. Wooden flooring and electrical and mechanical installations were renewed. With the completion of the ablution room and other works, the original architectural integrity of the building was restored.
