Izzet Pasha Mosque is a twin-minaret structure located in the center of Elazığ bazaar, which began serving in 1972; it stands out for having Turkey's first elevator-equipped minaret and housing the Jewelers' Bazaar beneath it.
Izzet Pasha Mosque stands in the bazaar center of Elazığ, opposite the old government building. It takes its name from Hacı Ahmet Izzet Pasha, the governor of the period, who purchased the mosque's land in 1866 and had a mud-brick structure built there. The initial structure served for about a hundred years, then showed signs of collapse. With the contributions of an association founded in 1966 and the people of Elazığ, it was demolished and rebuilt in 1967. The current mosque was opened for worship in 1972.
The structure, measuring 44x28.5 meters, is built in Ottoman architectural style, with twin minarets and twin balconies (şerefe). One of the minarets marked a first in Turkey: it houses the country's first elevator-equipped minaret. The main dome has a diameter of 20 meters, surrounded by 25 smaller domes. The minaret height from ground level is 55 meters. The exterior facade is covered with finely carved stone. Below the mosque, there are also shops, a mortuary, and a bathing section, meaning the structure is not just a place of worship but a functioning part of the bazaar.
On the ground floor, passages known as the Jewelers' Bazaar house numerous jewelry shops and currency exchange offices. For the people of Elazığ, the mosque is therefore a center where daily life unfolds even outside of prayer times. A common point highlighted in reviews is the mosque's grandeur and its central location in the city; visitors speak of its spaciousness and spiritual atmosphere.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Elazığ historical places.
Guide's Note
History
The first mosque was built of mud-brick in 1866 by the then-governor Hacı Ahmet Izzet Pasha. After serving for nearly a hundred years, this structure showed signs of collapse, so an association was founded in 1966, and with the financial support of the people of Elazığ, its reconstruction began in 1967. The current mosque was opened for worship in 1972.
Architectural Features
Built in Ottoman architectural style, the structure has twin minarets and twin balconies (şerefe). One of the minarets is a first in Turkey: an elevator-equipped minaret. Around the main dome, which has a diameter of 20 meters, 25 smaller domes are arranged. The minaret height from ground level is 55 meters. The exterior facade is covered with finely carved stone. There is also an ablution fountain with a 40-ton water capacity in the mosque courtyard.
How to Get There
The mosque is located in the city center, opposite the old government building. Access by public transport is easy: lines 1, 3, 6, 7 and the E-3/E-4 line pass nearby. The Izzetpaşa stop is almost adjacent to the mosque, just a 1-minute walk. The Yeni Camii stop is 3 minutes away, and the Vali Fahri Bey stop is 5 minutes away.
Jewelers' Bazaar in the Vicinity
On the ground floor of the mosque, there are passages known as the Jewelers' Bazaar. Numerous jewelry shops and currency exchange offices are gathered here. This structure is one of the points frequently visited by the people of Elazığ for both worship and shopping. Looking at this section while exploring the mosque better illustrates its place in city life.
Visit Duration
Exploring the interior and courtyard of the mosque takes 20-30 minutes. For those who also want to browse the Jewelers' Bazaar, the total time can extend up to 40 minutes. If you are planning a one-day trip in Elazığ, the mosque's central location makes it easy to combine with other stops.
Things to Note When Visiting
The mosque is an active place of worship. It is more appropriate to postpone visits until after prayer times. Entry is free for everyone. Visitor comments frequently mention the mosque's spaciousness and spiritual atmosphere, with particular attention drawn to finding a structure of this scale in the heart of the city.
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