Hacı Miktad Mosque in Giresun's city center is a free-entry religious structure built in stone in 1889, featuring an octagonal dome and ornate mihrab with gilded palmette motifs.
Hacı Miktad Mosque stands in the city center of Giresun, within walking distance of the main square and the Black Sea coastal road. The story of the structure cannot be confined to a single date: the first mosque was built in wood by Hacı Miktad Ağa in 1661, repaired by Hacı Çalık Kapudan in 1841, and finally, in 1889, Hacı İsmail Efendi replaced the old one with the current masonry structure. These three stages are recorded in the inscriptions above the entrance door on the east facade and on the main gate.
Smooth cut basalt was used for the body walls, while cut andesite was used for the last congregation area and the minaret. Inside, an octagonal-drummed dome, supported by eight pillars, transitions with pendentives. The main focal point is the mihrab: this section, with a pentagonal niche and cut stone workmanship, features a border surrounded by palmette motifs, pilasters with Corinthian capitals, and an inscription above them that reads "Küllemâ dehale aleyhâ Zekeriyye'l-Mihrâb". Some of the motifs are gilded, with crescent-star and stylized palmette figures symmetrically placed.
The mosque was registered by the Trabzon Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in 1986 and underwent restoration in 2011. The wavy workmanship on the wooden women's gallery railings and the geometric dodecagon motifs on the minbar are among the details noticed even during a short visit.
Guide's Note
The Story of the Mosque
The history of the structure cannot be told with a single construction date. The first mosque was built in wood by Hacı Miktad Ağa in 1661. In 1841, Hacı Çalık Kapudan had repairs done. The masonry structure we see today was built in 1889 by Hacı İsmail Efendi in place of the old mosque. Inscriptions on the entrance door on the east facade and on the main gate tell the story of these three phases.
Mihrab and Inscription Details
The pentagonal-niched mihrab stands out with its cut stone workmanship. Around the niche, there is a border with palmette motifs, and on both sides of the mihrab are pilasters with Corinthian capitals. On the pediment above the capitals, there is an inscription that reads "Küllemâ dehale aleyhâ Zekeriyye'l-Mihrâb", along with symmetrical crescent-star and palmette motifs. Some of the motifs are gilded; this is why it is the most photographed spot in the interior.
How to Get There
The mosque is located in Giresun city center, close to the main square and the coastal road. It is not difficult to reach on foot; city minibuses and bus lines also stop at the square. For those coming by car, there are parking facilities around the square.
Best Time to Visit
Hours outside of prayer times are more suitable for a peaceful visit to the interior. Visitor and congregation density can increase closer to noon prayers, so morning hours may be preferred.
How Much Time to Allocate
The mosque is a small-scale structure; it can be comfortably explored within 15-25 minutes by looking at the mihrab details and inscriptions. It can be included in a half-day city tour route by combining it with Giresun square and other historical points in the vicinity.
Things to Consider When Visiting
Since the mosque is an active place of worship, it is necessary to be respectful during prayer times, remove shoes, and remain silent. Female visitors are advised to bring a headscarf.
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