Hisar Mosque

The called Hisar Mosque ( Turkish Hisar Camii ), also Hisaronu Mosque ( Turkish Hisaronu Camii ) is a mosque situated in the historic business district (Bazaar ) Kemeraltı, the Turkish city of Izmir. It is the largest mosque in Izmir.

History

The construction of the Hisar Mosque began in 1592 and lasted six years; In 1598 it was opened. In the years 1813, 1881, 1927 and 1980, parts of the mosque had to be restored.

Origin of the name

The name derives from the location of the mosque: Hisar comes from Turkish, meaning fortress; Hisaronu means before the fortress and Hisaronu Camii Mosque accordingly before the fortress. In 1872, the ruins of a fortress was demolished in a square behind the mosque. The name is a reminder of the former fortress.

Architecture

In the Hisar Mosque is a building of classical Ottoman architecture. The hexagonal foundation of the main dome is surrounded by six smaller domes. The walls of the rectangular yard carry seven domes. In the courtyard there is a covered fountain, which is used for ritual washing before prayer ( Wudu ʾ ). The mosque has a minaret. The interior of the mosque is decorated with important works of Ottoman calligraphy.