Tahtalı Mosque in Melikli Village, Giresun, Türkiye, is a wooden-constructed prayer hall rebuilt in 1807-1808, featuring an interlocking timber system without nails and protected since 2012. Entrance is free.
Tahtalı Mosque stands in the center of Melikli Village, which is connected to Giresun city center. According to the wooden inscription inside the mosque, the current structure was rebuilt in 1807-1808; however, according to local villagers, its initial establishment dates back much further, hundreds of years ago. The High Council for Immovable Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism decided to place the mosque under protection on 29.02.2012.
The most striking aspect of the structure is its construction technique: the prayer hall (harim) is entirely made of wooden planks joined using an interlocking system without nails. The later-added last congregation area and basement walls are reinforced concrete, but the original state of the harim has been largely preserved. A single square-sectioned wooden pillar rises in the center of the ceiling, topped by two large consoles, and the geometric carvings on these are also original. The mosque has no mihrab; its pulpit (kürsü) is made with wooden interlocks; its minbar is thought to have been moved here from another structure. The women's section extends in an L-shape along the north and east sides of the harim.
This mosque, which lacks a minaret, is considered the most important example of wooden religious structures in Giresun. Hidden in the greenery of the countryside, it is a quiet stop slightly off the coastal route for most visitors' itineraries.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
The road to Melikli Village can become difficult in winter due to rain and frost. The period from late spring to late summer is more suitable for both road conditions and seeing the green texture of the village. Morning hours show the wooden texture better due to the angle of light entering the prayer hall.
How to Get There
The distance from Giresun city center to Melikli Village is approximately 23 kilometers. Public transportation options are not regular, so going by private car is the most reliable way. Since the roads within the village can be narrow, it is necessary to be careful, especially when driving large vehicles. Searching for "Tahtalı Cami" or "Melikli Köyü" on navigation apps usually yields sufficient results.
How Much Time to Allocate
The mosque is a small-scale structure; exploring the interior and examining the wooden details takes 20-30 minutes. Those who wish to see Melikli Village and the surrounding rural area can plan for half a day, but a long time is not required for the mosque itself.
How to Add to Your Itinerary
Tahtalı Mosque cannot be combined with points like Giresun Castle, Zeytinlik District, or Giresun Island in Giresun city center on the same day; its 23 km distance from the center requires a separate day or half-day. It can be considered as part of a rural Giresun itinerary exploring villages around the Batlama valley.
Good Spots for Photos
The single wooden pillar in the center of the prayer hall and the consoles with geometric carvings above it are the most photogenic details of the mosque. From the outside, the contrast created by the mosque with the surrounding green landscape is also striking; especially before noon, natural light shows the color of the wood more clearly.
Things to Pay Attention to When Visiting
The mosque is still actively open for worship, so visits should be kept short during prayer times. Taking off shoes and being quiet when entering, as in any place of worship, applies here. As it is in a rural village settlement, it is necessary to respect privacy and the daily lives of the local people.
Historical Significance of the Mosque
According to the wooden inscription, the structure was rebuilt in 1807-1808, but according to oral tradition, its initial establishment dates back much earlier. It was registered and placed under protection by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2012. It is considered the most important example among wooden religious structures in the Giresun region; its construction using an interlocking technique without nails is a rare surviving testament to traditional wooden craftsmanship in the region.
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