07.09.2026 09:10
The historical Murat Pasha Mosque, opened for worship in Erzurum in 1572, draws attention with its minaret standing independent from the main structure. The reason for this is that the minaret actually does not belong to the mosque. Since the minaret belonging to the Ahmediye Mosque and Madrasa, previously located in the area, was preserved, no new minaret was built for the Murat Pasha Mosque. A centuries-old legend involving Khidr (Aleyhisselam) is told among the public regarding the structure.
The most striking feature of the historical Murat Pasha Mosque, built in Erzurum in 1572, is its minaret, which rises independently from the mosque.
Unlike traditional Ottoman mosques, the minaret, which is not attached to the main structure, was not built for the Murat Pasha Mosque. Since the historical minaret belonging to the Ahmedieh Mosque and Ahmedieh Madrasa, which previously existed in the region, was preserved, a second minaret was not built for the newly constructed Murat Pasha Mosque.
The mosque, built by Beylerbeyi Murat Pasha during the Ottoman period, was opened for worship on December 12, 1572. The minaret, located in the garden of the mosque, which has an indoor area of approximately 520 square meters and a capacity of 300 people, stands out as the most striking architectural element of the structure.
The minaret, built on an octagonal base, with a cylindrical body made of regular cut stone and a single balcony, is approximately 25 meters high. The minaret, which has an entrance door from the outside, can be entered, and the balcony can be reached by stairs. The minaret seen today was rebuilt faithfully to the original between 1956 and 1957 on the foundations of the old minaret, which was demolished in the 1920s.
THE TALE OF KHIDR (ALAYHIS SALAM) TOLD FOR CENTURIES There is also a legend about the minaret of the Murat Pasha Mosque that has survived to the present day among the people. According to the stories, while Murat Pasha was having the new mosque built, he promised in his dream that he would not demolish the minaret of the Ahmedieh Mosque, which was previously in the region. It is believed that Khidr (Alayhis Salam), who later appeared before Murat Pasha, who had forgotten this promise, reminded him of his word. Upon this, the old minaret was preserved, and a second minaret was not built for the new mosque. According to the legend, it is believed that Khidr (Alayhis Salam) performs one of the five daily prayers at the Murat Pasha Mosque every day.
"SINCE THE EXISTING MINARET WAS PRESERVED, NO MINARET WAS BUILT FOR THE NEW MOSQUE" Fatih Şekerci, who has been serving as the muezzin at the Murat Pasha Mosque for about 12 years, said, "Our mosque, the Murat Pasha Mosque, was built by Beylerbeyi Murat Pasha in 1572. Of course, because it is generally unique in Erzurum, the minaret of our mosque is separate. Generally, members of our congregation ask, 'Why was it built separately?' In fact, our minaret was not built separately. Right behind you, there was the Ahmedieh Madrasa and, presumably, the Ahmedieh Mosque as another mosque next to it. During the reign of Selim II, that mosque was demolished and the Murat Pasha Mosque was built in its place. After the Murat Pasha Mosque was built, since the minaret already existed, an additional minaret was not built for Murat Pasha. That minaret belongs to the Ahmedieh Madrasa and the Ahmedieh Mosque. It collapsed in an earthquake around the 1930s. Later, this minaret was built on the foundations of that minaret. As you can see, the door of the minaret is outside, and you can climb up to it via regular stairs from inside. There is the Ane Hatun Tomb next to our mosque. Because of the trees and its height, our people generally do not know or recognize it. Let us also mention that here. When you enter the garden from outside, the fact that the minaret is separate immediately draws attention. That is, 'Why was the minaret built separately?'... Of course, we also explain from time to time; since the mosque was actually added to the existing minaret later, because the minaret already existed, a minaret was not built again for the Murat Pasha Mosque, let me put it that way. In other words, the minaret is from the older mosque," he said.