Sebinkarahisar Behramsah Camii is a 12th-century mosque in Giresun, Türkiye, featuring a dome supported by pointed squinches and a distinctive three-bay portico with monolithic columns. Admission is free.
Behramsah Camii stands in the Avutmus Neighborhood of Sebinkarahisar. According to sources, it is one of the oldest mosques in the Black Sea region to have survived to the present day. The construction was undertaken by Menguçek Bey Muzafferüddin Muhammed, who completed it in the late 12th century in the name of his father Behramsah. Built with load-bearing masonry, it has a nearly square plan; thick-mortared rubble stone was used in the body walls. The interior is covered with a dome supported by pointed squinches with an octagonal drum.
The three-bay portico on the north facade is a notable feature: it opens outward through three pointed arches connecting two monolithic stone columns, covered with three small domes with pendentive transitions. Since the structure sits about 3 meters below the road passing from the west, access to the portico is via a stone staircase. The minaret to the east has a stone base, a brick shaft, and a single balcony; the different arrangement of bricks below the balcony creates a saw-tooth cornice appearance. The earthquake-damaged minaret was restored according to its original form by the General Directorate of Foundations.
The mosque has suffered serious damage from earthquakes several times in the past and was rebuilt. In the 16th century, it was destroyed and rebuilt with a three-domed portico and single-domed interior arrangement. Today it is open for both worship and visits, with free entry. For visitors to Sebinkarahisar, alongside the castle and Fatih Camii, it is one of the town's most deeply rooted landmarks.
Guide's Note
What is Behramsah Camii and Why is it Important?
Sources indicate that the mosque was built by Menguçek Bey Muzafferüddin Muhammed in the name of his father Behramsah in the late 12th century. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gazanfer Iltar from Giresun University, the structure was completed in 1184 and is considered one of the oldest Seljuk-Menguçek works to have survived to the present day in the Black Sea Region. There is no inscription belonging to the mosque, so dating is based on written sources.
Architectural Details: Dome, Minaret, Portico
The interior is covered with a dome supported by pointed squinches with an octagonal drum. The three-bay portico on the north opens through three pointed arches connecting two monolithic stone columns; above it are three small domes with pendentive transitions. The minaret in the eastern corner has a stone base and a brick shaft; the saw-tooth cornice below the balcony, formed by the different arrangement of bricks, is striking. The entrance is emphasized within a pointed arch niche; to its sides are rectangular windows with iron grilles. The western facade is completely blind, with no windows.
Best Time to Visit
Visiting outside prayer times provides a quieter exploration of the mosque. Since Sebinkarahisar is a high-altitude town, winter months are cold and snowy. Spring and autumn offer more comfortable conditions both weather-wise and for lighting. Morning hours provide favorable sunlight on the stone facade for photography.
How to Get There
The mosque is located in Avutmus Neighborhood, connected to Sebinkarahisar town center. It is approximately 118 km from Giresun center, 198 km from Sivas, and 124 km from Erzincan. Traveling by private vehicle is the most practical option; the neighborhood is reached by a short drive from the town center. Since the structure sits about 3 meters below the road passing from the west, access to the portico is via a stone staircase—be aware of this when visiting.
Other Historic Mosques in Sebinkarahisar
Behramsah Camii is not a standalone attraction. The town also has the 546-year-old Fatih Camii and the 122-year-old Tamzara Camii on its cultural heritage list. Fatih Camii integrates with the restored Tashan Arasta bazaar. The mosque in Tamzara Neighborhood, surrounded by restored mansion-style houses, offers a different urban texture. It's possible to visit all three in succession during a day trip.
How Much Time to Allocate?
20-30 minutes is sufficient for the mosque itself; viewing the interior, portico, and exterior facade doesn't take long. If you plan to combine it with Sebinkarahisar Castle and other historic mosques, allocating half a day makes more sense.
What You Should Know Before Visiting
The mosque is still actively open for worship, so respectful behavior is required and it's best to avoid visiting during prayer times. Entry is free and there is no ticket booth. Since it lacks an inscription, minor differences appear between sources regarding dating (such as 839 or 840 years); this is normal and refers to the same period.
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