03.09.2026 01:30
Sivas Ulu Mosque, known for its leaning minaret and 800-year history, has undergone the most comprehensive restoration in its history. Green-colored bowls found during the restoration, whose mystery was solved by experts, were revealed to have been placed for decorative purposes in Anatolian architecture.
Sivas Ulu Mosque, known for its leaning minaret and 800-year history, has undergone the most comprehensive restoration in its history. It was revealed that the green-colored bowls, found during the restoration and whose mystery was solved by experts, were placed for ornamental purposes in Anatolian architecture.
The Historical Ulu Mosque, located in the city center of Sivas, was commissioned to Kul Ahi by Kızılarslan Bin İbrahim during the Anatolian Seljuk State period in 1196-1197.
ALSO KNOWN AS THE LEANING MINARET MOSQUE The mosque, repaired by Izzeddin Keykavus in 1212, had its minaret constructed in 1213 with a brick-woven, octagonal base that leans similarly to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Built with a 1 meter 10 centimeter incline due to the wind blowing from the North, the mosque is also called the Leaning Minaret.
The Ulu Mosque, known as the mosque with the leaning minaret, has undergone its most comprehensive restoration since its construction. The mosque, closed for worship about 14 months ago to begin restoration, underwent foundation reinforcement work, and 1,100 tons of concrete on the mosque's ceiling was removed.
DOZENS OF GREEN-COLORED PORCELAIN BOWLS DISCOVERED During the ongoing restoration work on the mosque's minaret, dozens of green-colored porcelain bowls were discovered. While the bowls aroused curiosity, it was stated that the bowls, believed to have been used for ornamental purposes as a result of examinations by experts, were painted green specifically for the structure.
THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RESTORATION IN ITS HISTORY CONTINUES Providing information about the restoration of the structure, Sivas Regional Director of Foundations Mehmet Ali Çalışkan said, "As the Sivas Directorate of Foundations of the General Directorate of Foundations of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, we are at the Sivas Ulu Mosque, whose restoration we started under the sponsorship of the Sivas Ulu Mosque Foundation. Fourteen months ago, within the scope of the sponsorship provided by the Sivas Ulu Mosque Foundation, the most comprehensive restoration in the history of our mosque began. Starting from the foundation of our mosque, our work continues by eliminating all deficiencies and defects, removing the 1,100-ton concrete period addition on the ceiling of our mosque, and laying original wooden laminate parquet."
THE VERSE ON THE LEANING MINARET WILL BE REWRITTEN Stating that work continues on the minaret, which draws attention from those who see it, Çalışkan said, "The minaret of our Ulu Mosque is inclined 116 cm from its plumb line. It is constantly monitored with modern tracking technology, and the inclination is not progressing. The conservation of the worn and nearly destroyed exterior tiles and bricks of the minaret is being completed. Also, the completion and reinforcement of the bricks that fell from the minaret's body after a lightning strike, the exact time of which is unknown, continues. Additionally, the missing parts of the 40th verse of Surah Al-Ahzab, written in Kufic script in the middle of the minaret's body, will be rewritten in the same script style and dimensions."
THE CURIOUS BOWLS WERE USED FOR ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES Explaining the purpose of the bowls found on the mosque's minaret that caused public curiosity, Mehmet Ali Çalışkan said, "Alongside the noble elements of architectural ornamentation such as the combined use of tiles, glazed bricks, stone, or bricks of various colors, they are ceramic plates and bowls, a material not actually made for this purpose. Although the literal meaning is bowl, the ceramics used generally consist of small table plates or soup bowls. The 830-year-old Sivas Ulu Mosque minaret, one of Anatolia's unique architectural structures, is one of the unique examples of this. Ceramic bowls were used as an ornamental element on the balcony of our minaret. Instead of the frequently used turquoise, green was used in Sivas. In restorations, speed is secondary. We aim to produce the best possible workmanship true to the original. We will complete the restoration as quickly and as close to the original as possible. We thank all stakeholders who contributed, especially AK Party Group Chairman Abdullah Güler, Sivas Governor Yılmaz Şimşek, and our sponsor, the Sivas Ulu Mosque Foundation," he said.
The mosque, whose restoration is expected to be completed in 2028, is expected to be opened for worship with the month of Ramadan.