Siirt Grand (Ulu) Mosque The Siirt Grand Mosque, situated in the heart of Siirt, was first built in 1219 under the commission of the Iraqi Seljuk Sultan Mugizuddin Mahmut. The mosque features a rectangular layout oriented along the east-west axis, with a central area topped by three adjacent domes set on an octagonal drum. On the east and west sides of these domes are two vertical barrel-vaulted sections, while the northern part contains a space with two transverse naves alongside a vertical nave. Throughout its history, the mosque has experienced extensive restorations, especially between 1229 and 1985, which have led to numerous modifications of the original design. A distinctive feature of the Siirt Grand Mosque is its elaborate minaret, which is segmented into several decorative bands that gradually taper upwards. This minaret style reflects the architectural trends of the Seljuk and Atabek eras in Anatolia, although the typical glazed bricks commonly seen during those periods are less prominent on this structure. The mosque was built using a combination of cut stone, rubble stone, and brick tiles for ornamental purposes, all bonded together with Khorasan mortar. Unfortunately, in the past century, the mosque’s external appearance was largely obscured due to the addition of one- and two-story reinforced concrete buildings erected around it. Thankfully, between 2008 and 2013, restoration efforts were carried out as part of a preservation project overseen by the Bitlis regional directorate for foundations. The expropriation of private properties near the mosque is ongoing, and partial repairs to the southern and western outer walls have been made. Overall, the Siirt Grand Mosque remains a remarkable example of Anatolian architectural heritage, distinguished by its unique decorative elements. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Siirt Grand (Ulu) Mosque, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will reply as soon as possible.