KONYA AZİZİYE MOSQUE

Konya Aziziye Mosque is an important religious building that testifies to the rich culture and history of the Ottoman Empire. Built in the second half of the 19th century during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz, it is a work of late Ottoman architecture. The mosque was designed by the famous architect of the period, Sarkis Balyan, and was opened for worship in 1874 after the construction process started in 1867. The architecture of the Aziziye Mosque was influenced by Ottoman traditional architecture as well as European baroque architecture. The traces of the Baroque style are evident in the dome structure, minaret and ornaments, adding an aesthetic richness to the mosque.

One of the prominent features of the mosque is that it belongs to the last periods of the Ottoman Empire. Built during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz, the mosque reflects the political and cultural atmosphere of the period and reveals the evolution of Ottoman architecture. The stonework of the mosque is also remarkable. The carved stones add elegance to the mosque’s architecture and display the subtleties of Ottoman art. This stonework not only increases the durability of the mosque but also offers an aesthetic value.

Aziziye Mosque was restored after a fire incident in its history. The fire occurred in 1867 and caused significant damage to the mosque. The mosque was restored and rebuilt with the aim of preserving its original architectural structure. The restoration process was an important step in preserving the mosque’s baroque-influenced features and stonework. Among those who worked on the restoration of the Aziziye Mosque were Sultan Abdülaziz, the sultan of the time, and the architect Sarkis Balyan. As a result, the mosque today has great historical and architectural value as a religious building from the late Ottoman Empire.