30.10.2026 00:08
Kırklar Masjid, located on a rocky summit at an altitude of 3,180 meters in the Çaykara district of Trabzon and surrounded by cliffs on three sides, is being rebuilt. The masjid, which was completely reduced to ashes in a fire last year, is being restored to its original form with municipal support and the efforts of volunteers. As the work, carried out despite harsh weather conditions, nears completion, the wooden structure is targeted to be completed in about 20 days.
Kırklar Masjid, located on a rocky summit surrounded by cliffs on three sides in Şekersu Plateau in the Çaykara district of Trabzon, is being rebuilt in accordance with its original form.
The masjid, located at an altitude of 3,180 meters on the Trabzon-Bayburt border, burned to ashes in a fire last November. The work started with the support of Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality and the contributions of volunteers from the Kırklar Mountain Masjid Beautification and Preservation Association to reopen the masjid for worship is nearing completion. In the masjid rebuilt with wooden architecture, work continues despite harsh weather conditions.
"WE HAVE LARGELY COMPLETED THE MASJID WITH THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR BENEFACTORS"
Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Metin Genç said they provided the necessary support to rebuild the masjid, which has high spiritual value, in accordance with its original form. Emphasizing that they attach importance to preserving national and spiritual values, Genç stated that spiritual centers known as the Threes, Sevens, and Forties in Anatolian tradition have an important place.
Drawing attention to the fact that the masjid is located at the intersection of the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia, Genç noted: "This is the place of worship located at the highest point on our land border. We have our association, valuable hodjas and our village headman who embrace this place. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we took the initiative. With the contributions of our benefactors, we have largely completed the masjid."
"WE TOOK CARE TO PRESERVE ITS ORIGINAL STRUCTURE"
Emphasizing that they took care to preserve the original structure during the reconstruction of the masjid, Genç said, "We thought to act in accordance with the original. It was entirely wooden, but there was a stone placed in the mihrab inside. We tried to preserve the original. We created spaces where men and women can worship separately very comfortably."
Genç said the two small minarets added gave the structure an aesthetic appearance. Stating that the masjid hosts many visitors, Genç reported that they created a parking area to facilitate visitors' use and that its road will also be improved.
VOLUNTEERS REBUILD THE MASJID DESPITE DIFFICULT CONDITIONS
Founder of the Kırklar Mountain Masjid Beautification and Preservation Association, 83-year-old retired imam Muhammet Yaşar Sezgin, also recounted that the masjid holds great spiritual value for him.
Sezgin, who said they took action to rebuild the structure after the fire and that the work is carried out by volunteers, used the following statements: "I was very upset that this place burned. People also come and go here. We wanted to build such a work again. I have been here for about two months. This place was not two-story before. We made a separate entrance for women. They can pray on the upper floor."
Mustafa Sezgin, 60, who took part in the construction of the masjid's retaining wall at the edge of the cliff, noted that he continues the work to earn God's approval.
Mehmet Kaya, who works at the construction, stated that many people wanted to contribute to the rebuilding of the masjid and said there are benefactors providing financial support.
Kaya, stating that about 20 days of work remain to complete the construction, emphasized that they do not want to leave the region without finishing the masjid despite adverse weather conditions.