Yivliminare Mosque immediately catches your eye when you enter Antalya Old Town.
It was built at the highest point in Kaleiçi above sea level and is regarded as one of the symbols of the cit of Antalya.
In this article, you will find all the information you need to know about the mosque, including how to get there, what to expect during the visit, and history details... Let's go!
What Can I Do at Yivliminare Mosque in Antalya ?
Yivliminare Mosque was one of the first Islamic buildings in Antalya, built during the reign of Seljuk Sultan, Alaeddin Kaykubad I (1220-1237).
Yivliminare Mosque is important because it reflects the artistic understanding of the period when it was built. It includes many decorative elements from the Seljuk period, such as surface coatings, geometric styles seen in the muqarnas or honeycomb vaulting, and calligraphic inscriptions. There are turquoise and cobalt blue glazed tile mosaics on the body of the fluted minaret.
With its fluted minaret, Yivliminare Mosque is an outstanding example of minarets in Anatolian Turkish Architecture. It takes its name from the 8 grooves in its minaret built with red brick. It was built in 1372 by Balaban Tavşi. The mosque building is the oldest example of a multi-domed mosque in Anatolia, with its six-domed prayer hall. The height of the minaret is 37 m. and can be reached with a 90-step ladder.
Yivliminare Mosque is part of a complex. The second largest building of the complex was the 13th century Alaaddin Madrasah, only the crown gate and one of the iwans survive today.
The third building of the complex was the Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev Madrasa, located to the east of the minaret. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev Madrasa was built by Atabey Armağan in 1239. Today, the building in the courtyard of the grooved hall has a door and the remains of its foundation.
The mawlawi house of the kulliye was established in the 18th century. This building has been used as the State Fine Arts Gallery since 1973.
Entrance, Tickets, and Tours
Yivliminare Mosque: The entrance is free. It can be visited any time, except for prayer times.
Mevlevihane Museum Visiting Hours: The museum is open on Sundays and Mondays between 08:30 and 17:30. The entrance is free.
Tip: To book amusement parks, museums, and tour tickets in advance of your trip to the Antalya region, don't hesitate to check out the deals in our official shop.
How to Get to Yivliminare Mosque
Yivliminare Mosque is located in Kaleiçi (the old town centre) along Cumhuriyet Street, next to Kalekapısı Square in Antalya.
- Bus: KC06, KC34, MC58, MK80, TC16, TC93
- Tram: T1A
- Metro: You can get on Antray and get off at "İsmetpaşa" stop.
To use public transports in Antalya, don't forget to get the Antalya Kart, a public transport card that will take you everywhere. Read more information public transport in Antalya.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Yivliminare Mosque is located in Kaleiçi Antalya. Best time to visit Antalya is during the autumn and spring months, from September to October and April to May, when the weather is pleasantly warm.
Bus: KC06,KC34,MC58,MK80,TC16,TC93
Tram: T1A
Metro: You can get on Antray and get off at "İsmetpaşa" stop.
Yivliminare means fluted minaret in Turkish. It takes its name from the 8 grooves in its minaret built with red brick.
Yivliminare Mosque is located in Kaleiçi (the old town centre) along Cumhuriyet Street, next to Kalekapısı Square in Antalya.
The History of Yivliminare Mosque
The mosque was originally built in 1230, during the reign of Sultan Alaeddin Kaykubad I (1220-1237) and was completely rebuilt in 1373, after the destruction of the original mosque.
The Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, who ruled Anatolia between the years 1220-1237, had a special place in the history of the Seljuks with the reconstruction activities he undertook in different cities such as Konya, Sivas, Kayseri, Erzurum, and Antalya. He built many symbolic structures in the cities that were seized during the process of Islamization and Turkification of a large part of Anatolia.
The original mosque was destroyed in the 14th century and a new mosque was built in 1373 by the Hamidids, on the foundation of a Byzantine church. During this rebuilding process, ancient column heads were used in the interior of the mosque. The building was used as Antalya Museum before but after the restoration work it serves as mosque, suitably its function.
Today the building houses the Ethnographic Museum of Antalya, whose exhibits include clothes, kitchen utensils, embroidery, wallpaper, rugs, bags, and awnings. It opened to the public in 1974.
Learn more about monuments in Antalya with our page dedicated to ruins in Antalya.