Yivli Minaret Mosque Situated in the historic Kaleiçi district of Antalya, the Yivli Minaret Mosque stands out as a prominent city landmark and emblem. Its name, meaning "fluted minaret," comes from the distinctive dark blue tiles that decorate the minaret. While the entrance inscription attributes its construction to Mehmet Bey in 1373, the mosque was originally built in 1230 atop the remains of an ancient church that previously occupied the site. The original mosque was destroyed during the 14th century and subsequently reconstructed featuring a rectangular layout with six domes and modest decoration. Its exterior walls are crafted from cut stone, while the tiles adorning the domes stand out with their striking appearance. Inside, the mosque is supported by 12 columns topped with ancient capitals, making it one of the earliest examples of multi-domed mosque architecture in Anatolia. The Yivli Minaret Mosque, located in Antalya's historic Kaleiçi neighborhood, is an exceptional representation of Anatolian Turkish architecture. The mosque’s iconic minaret was commissioned by Alaaddin Keykubad I, the Seljuk ruler from 1220 to 1237. Rising to a height of 38 meters, this fluted minaret is distinctive in Anatolia, built on a robust stone base measuring 6.5 meters in length and 5.5 meters in width. The minaret’s eight semi-circular grooved shaft of red bricks was originally decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles. As a remarkable example of Anatolian Turkish architecture, the Yivli Minaret Mosque exhibits all of the key structural features typical of the region. Medieval Turkish architects designed minarets in various forms, including spiraled and grooved styles. However, the Yivli Minaret stands apart due to its tall, fluted design and unique aesthetics, which earned it the title "the symbol of Antalya." In 2016, the Yivli Minaret Mosque was added to UNESCO's Tentative List as a site of important cultural heritage. If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or simply send us a message via WhatsApp, and we will reply as soon as possible.