Mosques

Most of the historical mosques in the Çoruh Valley are from the 19. century. These are examples of traditional architecture built in dressed or rough stone in a remote area and are charming with their extensive woodwork. They have mostly a square plan and are covered with timber roofs with galvanized iron superposed recently to weather proof.

İspir

İspir Çarşı Mosque(Tuğrul Shah Mosque)

It is located on the left of the road when entering the town. It was built by Atabey Erdemşah, an officer of the Seljukid ruler of Erzurum Tugrul Shah who reigned between 1200 and 1225. According to the inscription in the entrance it was built in 1220. The walls and the door of the building are original, but the roof has been changed in the first half of 20th century. The 4 roughly worked trunks carrying the roof are captivating.

Kale Mosque

The mosque within the inner walls of the castle is attributed to the Saltuk rulers who reigned in the region under the sovereignty of Seljukids, although no inscription remains.
While the lower part of the walls are made with rough stones, finely dressed stones are used in masonry of the upper walls. The building measures 10.80*9.5 m. Stalactites decorate the gate opposite the apse as well as the pendentives supporting the dome. The body of the 18 m minaret is well preserved.

Kadıoğlu Medersa

The Kadioğlu Medersa is situated across the Çarşı Mosque, on the right bank of the stream when entering İspir. It was built by Kadizade Mehmet who died in 1759. His father was married to a woman from İspir and he served as the mufti of Erzurum for almost 15 years. The Medersa was built with finely crafted dressed stones carried from Kalkons village, 10 km from İspir. There are 10 cells in the building for the teachers and students.

Sultan Melik Mosque

The mosque is situated across the Çarşı Mosque on the other side of the stream, next to the Kadıoğlu Medersa. It is thought to be constructed by the last Saltuk ruler Melik Shah who abdicated or forced to abdicate in 1200 or 1201.
The oldest monument of the Çoruh Valley has deteriorated a lot, its dome suffered most and needs intervention.

Yusufeli

Bakırtepe Mosque

The mosque was built in 1896 according to the inscription above the entrance. The nave measures 11*12 m and is prolonged with the narthex of 3.75 m. The galvenized iron sheet covered wooden minaret, accessible from the galery along the northern wall, stands at the north-western corner of the nave.
The wooden ceiling is embelished with a wooden dome of 3.75 m in the middle. The interior is colourfully painted.

İnanlı Camii

The architectural style suggests the building was constructed during the 19. century. However, the precise construction date remains unknown because the mosque does not have an inscription.
The building is almost a square with dimensions of 7.30*7.14 m. The main building is built in rubble masonry and lime mortar.The narthex which was originally wooden, rebuilt later in brickwork, supports the balcony open on three sides above. Instead of a minaret a pole with a loudspeaker stands at the northern corner.
A wooden L shaped galery inside runs along the east and north walls of the mosque.

Yaylalar Mosque

This is a late example of delicate dressed stonework from the 19 century in a remote area. The inscription at the entrance gives 1891 as the renovation date, with generous donations of İbrahim and Halil Agas, descendants of Çüstoglu Osman Aga and support of the villagers. Nevertheless the original construction date of the mosque is unknown.
Finely cut stones are used in the construction of the main building. The nave measures 11.90*11.60 m with a smaller two storey building standing againt the northern wall. The remains of the minaret can still be seen along the western wall of the nave. The narthex has been destroyed by an avalanche in the ’80s. The entrance in the middle of the northern wall is ornamented.
The U shaped wooden galery inside is supported by 4 poles and accessible with wooden stairs next to the entrance.