Balaban Bey Mosque The Balaban Bey Mosque is located in Kığı Town, Bingöl Province and is the oldest surviving historical structure in the area. Its entrance is decorated with a three-line inscription, stating that it was constructed in 1402 by Pir Ali Bey, the son of İbrahim Bey, who was the son of Bayındır Han, and the grandson of Akkoyunlu Fahrettin Kutluk Bey. The minaret was once damaged but was later restored by Hacı Hasan. Additionally, the mosque underwent further repairs by Pilten Bey, the son of Pir Ali Bey, during the Akkoyunlu period. This is further supported by the tombstone of Pir Ali Bey, dated 1503, which was initially placed in the mosque's cemetery but was later incorporated into the restoration of the minaret. The Balaban Bey Mosque features a single minaret and balcony, with its main entrance located on the northern side of the structure, marked by an arched doorway. An additional entrance is found on the eastern side. The narthex is home to two tomb graves with three arches, believed to be around 300 years old. These graves are thought to belong to Sheikh Haci Yusuf Efendi and Hacı Mehmet Efendi, both of whom were from the Kığı gentry. Moreover, in the courtyard, there is a tomb attributed to Hacı Mehmet from the Zermek princedom in Turkey. A broken tombstone nearby bears the date 1313 H. in Arabic numerals. The mosque's mihrab is ornately decorated with a design of three red tulips on a green background. Its hipped roof is covered with sheet metal, and the walls are made of smooth cut stone at the corners and rubble stone in other sections, all held together by Khorasan mortar. The corners are constructed using stones of various colors and sizes, and the upper portions of the windows are shaped like horseshoes. The minaret of the mosque, located at the northwest corner, is constructed from cut stone and features a conical upper portion with a wooden interior ceiling. Its door is at the base, but due to numerous restorations in 1734, 1768, 1794, and 1924, much of its original design has been obscured. Surrounding the mosque is an old Ottoman-era cemetery, where twelve-sided tombstones, shaped like a turban or raft, can be found. The inscriptions on these tombstones are scattered throughout the area in no particular order. If you have any questions or inquiries about the Balaban Bey Mosque, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.