BOĞAZİCİ MOSQUEBy Slowtravelguide

BOĞAZIÇI MOSQUE: AN EXPLOSION OF COLOR & A TOUCH OF OSTRICH EGGS

One building alone might sometimes stimulate your interest in visiting a particular town or village. If Boğaziçi, a village in Denizli, and its historic Boğaziçi Mosque catch your attention, that may be the case. This village, which has just 500 residents, is by no means a popular tourist destination. This is rural Turkey, with the exception that the ancient local mosque was renovated in 2019. Beside the new mosque stood the old, run-down Boğaziçi Mosque, which was no longer in service. Although this would not be exceptional, it was regrettable in the instance of the former Boğaziçi Kasabası Mosque.

This was not just any old mosque; rather, it was one of the few painted mosques in the Denizli area that was still intact. Since they are all so distinctive, they should all be preserved and restored. After restoration work was finished in 2019, the historic Boğaziçi Mosque was once again ready to receive guests and pray. Is the detour worth it to see this mosque? Absolutely, in a word! This article will explain why.

4th Century Bc Pillar And Chamber Tomb Combi

BOĞAZIÇI MOSQUE: A 1772′ BUILDING WITH 1877′ MURALS

The exact date of the construction of the Boğaziçi Mosque is uncertain. Nonetheless, everyone agrees that the date above the front door denotes the building’s construction year of 1772. An additional date-mark dated 1877 most likely designates the time the spectacular murals were added. Whatever the age of construction, this mosque is a magnificent display of the woodworking and painting skills of the masters. Your eyes are met with an explosion of colour and shape everywhere you turn. The hexagonal lath-covered ceiling is painted in every detail, producing a piece of almost excruciating beauty.

Welcome To Boğaziçi Mosque

Boğaziçi Mosque: What A Mosque, What A Beautiful Restoration!

If This Ceiling At Boğaziçi Mosque Doesn’t Deserve The Label Mindblowing, What Does?

You’ll find yourself in a dilemma as soon as you go into the Boğaziçi Mosque since you won’t know where to look first. This location is a visual overload. The otherwise unremarkable facade, with a relatively modest portico, gives little clue as to what’s within. All we can say is that you will be amazed. Because no matter how many pictures we upload, you will still remain. The sparse exterior perfectly counterbalances the ostentatious interior decorations. This sea of floral arrangements, vases, and other symbols that allude to heaven, hell, or the Kaaba leaves almost no vacant area.

The Portico Of Boğaziçi Mosque

Quite amazing bas reliefs

WHAT ABOUT THE OSTRICH EGGS?

At Boğaziçi Mosque, there are so many other things competing for your attention that you almost miss the six ostrich eggs hanging from a metal pendant from the ceiling. Arabic text is used to embellish the pure white eggs. What on earth are ostrich eggs doing in a mosque, you ask? The secret is in their special repelling qualities, which Mimar Sinan, the principal Ottoman architect for Suleiman the Magnificent, Selim II, and Murad III, both acknowledged and employed. Although more than 300 notable buildings were leased out to Mimar Sinan, the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, which is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is without a doubt his masterpiece.

Although humans are unable to sense it, it is reported that the smell of dried ostrich eggs repels insects, spiders, and scorpions. For this reason, Mimar Sinan employed them as the ideal way to prevent spiderwebs from appearing in the chandeliers of his Ottoman mosques.

The Ostrich Eggs Ornament At Boğaziçi Mosque

FINAL THOUGHTS ON VISITING BOĞAZIÇI MOSQUE

Visiting Boğaziçi Mosque usually requires a little detour, as the village isn’t exactly located on one of the main tourist itinerary axes. But, if you’re combining a visit to Kaklık Cave when visiting Pamukkale or Denizli, then it would be a shame to miss out on this gem, as Kaklık Cave is less than 20 kilometers away. Places like this are unique, and while this may not be a tourist hub, it is authentic Turkey. So, if it is authenticity you’re after and exploring a country beyond the obvious destinations, then consider a stop at Boğaziçi.

Click here to read our article on mosque etiquette, and to find the current prayer times for Denizli.

If you rely on public transportation, there are frequent buses from Denizli to Baklan, only 4 km away. Click here for the current timetable. Check out the tabs below for more practical tips to prepare your trip.