In 1071 the Seljuq Turks defeated the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert, driving them out of Armenia and eastern Anatolia. But the Seljuq Turks were not very well organized themselves, and most of the land lost by the Byzantines ended up ruled by effectively independent Beys, or lords. One of these small lordships ("beyliks") was that of the Mengujekids. Most of these minor dynasties are now completely forgotten by everyone but experts in medieval Turkish history, but the otherwise obscure Mengujekids found a way to preserve their memory: this building.
The Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital was built in 1228-1229. According to inscriptions, the architect was
Hürremshah of Ahlat. The patron of the mosque was a Mengujekid bey named Ahmet Shah. The adjacent hospital had a separate patron, a female relation of Ahmet Shah's named Turan Melek Sultan. That's the hospital entrance above.
The structure is a UNECSO World Heritage Site. According to the nomination,
The highly sophisticated technique of vault construction and a creative, exuberant type of decorative sculpture – particularly on the three doorways, in contrast to the unadorned walls of the interior – are the unique features of this masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The variety of the carved decoration indicates that is was carried out by different groups of craftsmen.
Vaulting in the prayer room above.
More vaulting in the hospital. During World War II the Turks were worried that one of the combatants -- Germans, British, Russians might try to steal the Topkapi treasure from Istanbul, so they scattered it to secret sites around the country, of which this was one.
Exterior views. The unusual hexagonal dome is over the
mihrab (prayer niche).
Main portal and detail.
More details.
And yet more.
No comments:
Post a Comment