Photos of Kesik Minaret
Kesik Minaret
Kesik Minaret, Antalya, Turkey
Kesik Minaret is a historic complex in Kaleici, the Old Town in central Antalya. On its site in the 2nd century there was a Roman temple, and in the early Byzantine period a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary was established here. The building survived destruction during Arab raids in the 7th-9th centuries and was restored.
At the beginning of the 13th century, with the arrival of the Seljuks, the church was converted into a mosque and a minaret was added. In 1361 Antalya was briefly occupied by Crusaders under the rule of Cyprus, and the temple became Christian again. Later the city finally came under Ottoman rule, and in the early 16th century the building again became a mosque known as the Korkut Mosque - named for Prince Korkut, during whose time work was carried out on the complex.
At the end of the 19th century a severe fire destroyed the roof and the top of the minaret. Since then the monument received the name "Kesik" - "truncated", and the ruins with the shortened minaret long remained one of the recognizable features of the Kaleici skyline.
In the 2020s a restoration was carried out, and the mosque is open again for worship. For tourists it is a clear example of changing eras - from Roman Antalya to the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, and a convenient stopping point during a walk through the Old Town.
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Kesik Minaret is a historic complex in Kaleici, the Old Town in central Antalya. On its site in the 2nd century there was a Roman temple, and in the early Byzantine period a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary was established here. The building survived destruction during Arab raids in the 7th-9th centuries and was restored.
At the beginning of the 13th century, with the arrival of the Seljuks, the church was converted into a mosque and a minaret was added. In 1361 Antalya was briefly occupied by Crusaders under the rule of Cyprus, and the temple became Christian again. Later the city finally came under Ottoman rule, and in the early 16th century the building again became a mosque known as the Korkut Mosque - named for Prince Korkut, during whose time work was carried out on the complex.
At the end of the 19th century a severe fire destroyed the roof and the top of the minaret. Since then the monument received the name "Kesik" - "truncated", and the ruins with the shortened minaret long remained one of the recognizable features of the Kaleici skyline.
In the 2020s a restoration was carried out, and the mosque is open again for worship. For tourists it is a clear example of changing eras - from Roman Antalya to the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, and a convenient stopping point during a walk through the Old Town.
A functioning mosque with ancient and Byzantine fragments.
Kesik Minaret in Kaleici: how to visit and what to see
Today it is a functioning mosque and an archaeologically mixed complex: on the site and in the walls you can see masonry elements from different periods, ancient and Byzantine spolia, traces of an early Christian basilica and the shortened minaret. From the outside you can easily examine decorative details and stone blocks; inside you will find a calm prayer space without excessive ornamentation.
Entry is free outside prayer times. When visiting, remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall, dress modestly - shoulders and knees should be covered - and women will need to cover their heads with a scarf. During namaz do not pass between worshippers and the qibla, and speak quietly.
Nearby you can easily combine a visit with Hadrian's Gate, the Yivli Minaret, Hidirlik Tower and Karaalioğlu Park. The easiest way to get there is on foot through the streets of Kaleici from Hadrian's Gate in 3-5 minutes, or from the nostalgic tram stop "Kale Kapisi" at Republic Square in 10 minutes.
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