The Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii)Places to Visit in Erzurum

The Grand Mosque of Erzurum, also referred to as the Atabey Mosque, is one of the most important historic places of worship in Erzurum, Turkey. Originally constructed in 1179 by Nasreddin Aslan Mehmed, the ruler of the Saltuk dynasty, the mosque has undergone five major restorations, as documented in various inscriptions. Though certain parts of the structure—such as its dome and vault system—have been altered throughout the centuries, significant portions of the original design remain. In particular, part of the qibla wall and much of the main central aisle have impressively endured for over eight centuries.

The mosque’s rectangular layout spans roughly 41 by 44 meters, with the primary entrance located on the northern side. The eastern façade features two doors, allowing natural light to brighten the symmetrically organized interior through the windows. On Fridays and during religious observances, the mosque can host up to 10,000 worshippers at once.

Built primarily from cut stone, the structure also incorporates wood in the construction of the dome, while the minaret’s cylindrical shaft is made of brick. Inside the mosque, the presence of geometric ornamentation reflects the artistic style typical of 12th-century architecture. The mihrab—with its understated stalactite niche—features a large rectangular border decorated with a beautifully detailed, braided octagonal pattern. The minaret, attached to the northwest corner of the structure, is accessed via interior stairs and rises from the roofline.

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