Maryam

★ 5 a month ago

Just prayed magrib here. The carpets are so clean and smooth to pray on. There are plenty of aids for those who are disabled and find it difficult making sujood/ sajda. Great women’s section for the sisters. They even provide prayer mats and hijabs/ coverings upstairs in the women’s section. The athaan was beautiful and so was the individual leading the prayer!

Dj

★ 5 5 months ago

Karakaş Camii, also known as Cafer Ağa Mosque, is one of the symbolic religious and architectural landmarks of Antalya. The original mosque is believed to have been constructed in the 14th century, directly opposite Hadrian’s Gate in the historic city center. Over time, the structure fell into ruin, and between 1992 and 2003 it was completely reconstructed under the design of Turgut Cansever, a renowned Turkish architect born in Antalya. This mosque is particularly significant as it is the only mosque Cansever ever designed, and his only architectural work in his hometown. The new Karakaş Camii reflects Cansever’s philosophy of regionalism, which integrates local culture, historical references, and environmental adaptation into modern design. Unlike the classic Ottoman central-dome mosques, it follows a rectangular plan with a central dome on an octagonal base flanked by two smaller domes. Natural lighting is provided through carefully placed skylights, including one on the main dome and four on the secondary domes, which not only illuminate the interior but also respond to Antalya’s warm Mediterranean climate. The construction makes use of traditional materials such as load-bearing stone walls, brick domes covered with terracotta tiles, and finely crafted handmade ceramic tiles, especially visible on the mihrab wall and entrance panels. These artistic details merge traditional Turkish-Islamic ornamentation with contemporary design principles. Rather than pursuing monumental grandeur, Cansever emphasized humility, harmony with the city’s topography, and respect for cultural heritage. Today, Karakaş Camii stands not only as a mosque but also as a symbol of continuity between past and present. It embodies Antalya’s deep-rooted Islamic architecture while also serving as a modern reinterpretation, making it both a spiritual center and a cultural landmark of the city.

Darius Sau

★ 5 a year ago

beautiful old town of Antalya, architecture.