Restoration of the Old Mosque of Edirne (1996-1998)
Restoration of the Old Mosque of Edirne (1996-1998)
General Introduction
The Old Mosque, located in the center of Edirne, is one of the oldest monumental structures from the Ottoman period that has survived to the present day. It is a symbol of the Interregnum period of the Ottoman Empire and is situated in the historical center of the city.
Construction History and Building
Its construction began in 1403 by Süleyman Çelebi, son of Yıldırım Bayezid, during the period known as the Interregnum in Ottoman history. It was completed in 1414 by Mehmed I (Çelebi Sultan Mehmet). The sword-girding ceremonies of Ottoman sultans Ahmed II and Mustafa II were held in this mosque. Damaged by a fire in 1749 and an earthquake in 1752, the mosque was repaired during the reign of Mahmud I. Following the establishment of the Republic, it underwent further restoration between 1924 and 1934.
Architect
According to the inscription above the side entrance of the mosque, its architect was Hacı Alâaddin from Konya, and his master builder was Ömer ibn-i İbrahim.
Architectural Features
It is one of the large mosques of the early Ottoman period, with a square plan, approximately 49.5 m x 49.5 m in size. The interior is divided into nine equal square sections by four large pillars and the arches they support; these areas are covered with nine domes. The Old Mosque belongs to the “multi-domed mosque group” of the early Ottoman period.
The mosque has two minarets, one at the north corner and the other at the west corner. The western minaret was initially planned with two balconies; it is noteworthy that the balconies are accessed by separate staircases.
Stone and brick were used together in its construction. The use of stone and brick reflects the influences from Seljuk and early Islamic architecture in early Ottoman architecture, with large facade openings and the rhythmic arrangement of domes, reflecting the architectural language of the period.
The pulpit is not used by imams out of respect for Hacı Bayram Veli, who is said to have come to Edirne during the reign of Murat and preached in the mosque. Furthermore, the Kaaba stone, known as Rükn-ü Yemani, located to the right of the mihrab and believed to have been brought from the Kaaba, is a special point of pilgrimage. The mosque’s white-painted walls and pillars feature various inscriptions from the 18th and 20th centuries. Some were added during the reign of Mahmud I, and others during the 1863 renovation. In later periods, famous calligraphers contributed their work or wrote in its place. The gilded Bismillah (In the name of Allah) to the right of the minbar bears the signature of Abdul Hamid II.
Historical Intervention and Restoration History
The Old Mosque has undergone numerous repair/restoration processes over the centuries due to natural disasters, fires, and the effects of time.
Interventions Over the 19th Century
Repairs after fire and earthquake (1749–1752)
The mosque was damaged in the fire of 1749 and the earthquake of 1752, and subsequently restored during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I.
Works at the 19th Century Level
Further repairs and interventions occurred in the 19th century; for example, there are traces of the 1863 restoration.
Restorations During the Republican Period
1924–1934 restoration
A comprehensive repair was carried out by the newly established state institutions in the early years of the Republic. This restoration strengthened the multi-domed main volume, stone elements, and exterior of the structure.
Repairs after the 1953 earthquake (1965)
The Old Mosque, which was again damaged in a major earthquake in 1953, was repaired again in 1965, achieving its current general appearance.
Recent Interventions
Between 1995 and 2000, the General Directorate of Foundations carried out extensive work on the mosque’s dome ornamentation and calligraphy.
The last restoration was carried out in 2008–2009 under the leadership of the Edirne Regional Directorate of Foundations. During this process, wood carvings and Edirnekari works of art historical value were also brought to light.
The mosque’s madrasa structure has not survived to the present day. These parts have been destroyed or lost.
Why is it Important?
An Early Ottoman Architectural Example
In Edirne, one of the first Ottoman capitals, it is considered one of the first major examples of classical Ottoman mosque architecture.
Historical Continuity
The mosque has been used as a place of worship continuously for over 600 years.
City Center Location
Its proximity to the historical bazaar of Edirne and its location alongside other large mosques (Selimiye, Üç Şerefeli, etc.) make it an important part of the city’s historical fabric.
