Yağlıdere Tekkeköy Mosque in Giresun, Türkiye, is a 15th-century Islamic complex founded by Gülbahar Hatun with a masonry structure featuring wall paintings, a walnut minbar, and a 1980s minaret, open free to visitors.
Yağlıdere Tekkeköy Mosque is situated between Tekkeköy and Tuğlacık villages, 67 kilometers from the district center. According to publications, the Hacı Abdullah Complex was founded by Gülbahar Hatun, mother of Sultan Selim I, during his governorship of Trabzon (1489-1512), and its administration was entrusted to Hacı Abdullah Halife. For this reason, it is also known as Gülbahar Hatun Lodge among the locals. The mosque, dervish lodge-hearth, guesthouse, and mill have survived from the complex to the present day. The tomb of the founding sheikh is in Tuğlacık Village.
The mosque is a longitudinally rectangular planned structure built with a masonry system. It consists of a portico (son cemaat yeri) and a square prayer hall (harim). Rubble basalt stone was used for the exterior walls, which are plastered. The round, single-balconied minaret was added in the 1980s: this minaret was built after the previous wooden call-to-prayer area was demolished. The prayer hall is accessed via a wooden staircase leading to the women's section (mahfil).
The main striking detail inside is the wall paintings. The semi-circular niche mihrab is surrounded by two rows of borders with scrolling branch and geometric motifs. The walnut minbar dates to the 19th century; its side facing the mihrab is carved with S and C curves, while the other side is left plain. The wooden ceiling and walls of the prayer hall are covered with painted decorations, especially concentrated on the south side of the women's section. Vase, oil lamp, knife, flag, curtain, mosque, clock, moon, star, sun, and flower motifs are intertwined.
Guide's Note
History and Surviving Parts of the Complex
According to publications, the complex was founded by Gülbahar Hatun, mother of Sultan Selim I, during his governorship of Trabzon (1489-1512), and its administration was given to Hacı Abdullah Halife. For this reason, it is also known as Gülbahar Hatun Lodge in the region. The bakery of the complex has disappeared, and an imam's house has been built in place of the dervish lodge guesthouse. The mosque, dervish lodge-hearth, guesthouse, mill, and the tomb of the founding sheikh in Tuğlacık Village have survived to the present day.
Decorations Inside the Mosque
The walls of the prayer hall feature a rich composition of painted decorations: vase, oil lamp, knife, flag, curtain, mosque, clock, moon, star, sun, tree, and flower motifs. These paintings are most densely found on the walls south of the women's section. The mihrab has a semi-circular niche surrounded by two rows of borders with scrolling branch and geometric motifs. The walnut minbar's side facing the mihrab is carved with S and C curves; these features date it to the 19th century.
How to Get There
The mosque is located in Tekkeköy, a village of Yağlıdere district, 67 kilometers from Giresun city center by road. It is situated between Tekkeköy and Tuğlacık villages. Traveling by private car is the most practical option. Since the road passes through a mountainous area, be careful with speed and curves. As public transport services may be limited, it is advisable to research village minibuses or taxi options from Yağlıdere district center in advance.
Best Time to Visit
Since the region is mountainous and accessed via a village road, spring and summer months are more favorable for road conditions. Snowfall in winter months can make access difficult. As the mosque is open for worship, if you avoid prayer times, you can explore the interior more comfortably.
How Much Time to Allocate
20-30 minutes is sufficient to visit the mosque itself. However, since you've come all this way, adding the tomb of the founding sheikh in Tuğlacık Village and other historical sites in Yağlıdere to your itinerary would make the journey more worthwhile. If you are planning a one-day trip to Yağlıdere, you can schedule the mosque for the morning hours.
Other Stops in the Vicinity
Yağlıdere district is known for its twelve arched bridges, various mosques, and dervish lodges. When visiting Tekkeköy Mosque, seeing the tomb in Tuğlacık Village is meaningful for understanding the entire complex. Historical bridges and natural beauties in the region can also be visited on the same day.
Things to Consider Before Visiting
Since the mosque is still an active place of worship, it is necessary to dress modestly. There is no fixed visiting hour or phone number registered, so getting information from the villagers is the most reliable way. The road is narrow and mountainous, so drive carefully, especially in rainy weather.
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