Grand Mosque

The Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, located in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır, Turkey, is one of the most famous and largest mosques in the country. It stands among the oldest mosques in Anatolia and is considered the 5th Harem-i Şerif (Noble Sanctuary) in the Islamic world. The mosque sprawls over a vast area with two mosques and two madrasas. Throughout history, architectural decorations, inscriptions, and reliefs made in different periods harmonize within its courtyard. The mosque comprises sections such as ablution area, minaret, eastern and western maksuras (enclosures), and a large rectangular courtyard. The courtyard of the mosque houses an octagonal ablution fountain and a sundial that is over 800 years old. The mosque was built on the site of the Martoma Church, which was constructed in 639 CE during the era of Caliph Umar. It was rebuilt and took its present form under the orders of Sultan Melikshah of the Great Seljuk Empire in 1091. The mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers and hosts four different Islamic traditions