Cinarlar Cami in Giresun, Turkey is a stone mosque built beginning in 1888 and opened in 1896, featuring hewn stone construction and notable masonry craftsmanship, with free admission.
Cinarlar Cami is located in the Cinarlar Neighborhood of Giresun, within walking distance from the city center. Its construction was initiated in 1888 under the leadership of Hacivehbizade Ali Aga. It took eight years to open for worship, with the mosque opening its doors in 1896. Its rectangular body made of hewn stone is divided into three sections by four round arched stone columns in the north portico. Entry is made between the two central columns.
The original main dome collapsed in the 1939 earthquake and was replaced with a flat tile roof. So the silhouette you see today differs from the mosque's original form. The facade features rectangular windows at the bottom and horseshoe arch windows at the top. It has two doors, one on the east and one on the north. The interior is free from decoration, displaying a simplicity that speaks through the texture of the hewn stone itself. In 1986, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism registered the mosque as a cultural asset requiring protection, and it underwent comprehensive restoration in 2015.
A point that stands out in visitor comments is that the stone craftsmanship is simple yet impressive. The fountain and library in the courtyard can also be used as part of the mosque. As one of the lesser-known historical mosques of the Black Sea region, it can easily be added to your route while visiting Giresun Castle or the Zeytinlik neighborhood.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
The mosque is actively open for worship, so visiting outside of prayer times is more comfortable for both you and the congregation. Compared to Giresun's rainy winter months, spring and autumn are more suitable both for weather and city sightseeing. Visiting towards noon allows the stone facade to be seen more clearly in daylight.
How to Get There
Cinarlar Cami is located in central Giresun. As noted in cultural resources, access by foot and vehicle is easy. If you're staying in the city center, walking is the most practical option. If you're farther away, a short taxi ride is sufficient.
Location Within the City
The mosque is located in the Cinarlar Neighborhood, where Giresun's historical character is concentrated. As it is within walking distance of Giresun Castle and the Zeytinlik neighborhood, it becomes a natural stop on a city center tour.
How Much Time Should You Allocate
The mosque itself is not a large structure. Examining the exterior and entering to tour the courtyard takes 15-25 minutes. It can easily be included in a busy Giresun city center tour.
Route Suggestion
It makes sense to plan Cinarlar Cami together with Giresun Castle and the Zeytinlik neighborhood in a central Giresun tour. Visit the castle in the morning to see the view, head to Cinarlar Cami towards midday, and finish the day with a walk through the narrow streets of Zeytinlik.
Photography Spots
The four-columned portico on the north facade is the mosque's most characteristic feature. Shots taken from here clearly show the stone craftsmanship and arch details. Overall plan photographs taken from the courtyard also effectively display the building's rectangular mass.
Things to Keep in Mind
As an active place of worship, appropriate clothing and silence are important when entering. Keeping your visit brief during prayer times or postponing it shows respect to the congregation and ensures a better experience for you as well.
Historical Background of the Mosque
The construction was led by Hacivehbizade Ali Aga from the local gentry. After the dome collapsed in the 1939 earthquake, it was rebuilt by Sarialemdarzade Ahmet Efendi and Feridunzade Hasan Muharrem Efendi. It underwent partial repairs in 1996 and comprehensive restoration in 2015; this restoration was opened with a ceremony attended by the governor of that period, Hasan Karahan.
This content originates from neresigezilir.com.tr and may not be copied without permission.
Çınarlar Mosque Videos
Çınarlar Mosque videos load when you open this section to keep the page fast.
Show videos
FAQ
Updated:
