Çeşnigir Paşa Camii, Isparta'nın Barla kasabasında 1376'da Çeşnigir Sinan Paşa tarafından yaptırılan, soğan biçimli tuğla minaresiyle dikkat çeken Osmanlı öncesi dönem yapısıdır; giriş ücretsiz, ibadet açık.
Cesnigir Pasa Camii is located in the Orta Mahalle district of the town of Barla, which is connected to Egirdir. According to the inscription above the door, it was built by Cesnigir Sinan Pasa in H. 777 / M. 1376. This date is significant: the structure was built six years before the region came under Ottoman rule, meaning the mosque belongs to the pre-Ottoman beylik period. It has a rectangular plan with stone side walls built using spolia. It was originally covered with wooden and earth roofing, which was converted to a tiled roof during a 1878 repair. Its minaret is onion-shaped and made of colored brick; this detail is the mosque's most distinctive architectural feature.
Inside the door, on the left side, there is a buried tombstone: the name Hafiz Tuti'i Karamani and the date H. 794 / M. 1392 can be read on it. The mosque reached its current form through repairs conducted during the Republic period. Information frequently mentioned in visitor reviews connects the mosque to Bediuzzaman Said Nursi: Nursi's second house, where he stayed from time to time after 1953, is located above the mosque. Those who visit Barla regard this mosque as one of the town's oldest structures, noting that its texture has been better preserved after restoration.
The mosque remains open for active worship and can be visited during daily prayer times. It is reached by walking through the narrow streets of Barla; along with Aya Georgios Church, Ottoman bridges, and historic plane trees, it is part of the town's tour route.
Guide's Note
The Best Time to Visit
Barla is built on a slope overlooking Lake Egirdir. Spring and summer months are the most comfortable seasons for walking through the streets. Since the mosque is open during prayer times, visiting near the afternoon prayer increases your chances of entering. In winter months, Barla's upper sections can be cold and windy.
How to Get There
Travel from Isparta center to Egirdir by road takes approximately 20 minutes. There are minibus services from Egirdir to Barla, and by private vehicle it takes 15 minutes. After reaching Barla center, the mosque is found on foot through the uphill streets of Orta Mahalle; it is located in the upper section of the town.
Getting Around in Barla
Barla is a small town that can be explored entirely on foot without needing a vehicle. Besides the mosque, Aya Georgios Church, two Ottoman bridges, historic fountains, and thick-trunked plane trees are also within walking distance. Since the streets are narrow and hilly, wearing comfortable shoes makes walking easier.
How Much Time to Spend
Exploring the mosque itself takes 15-25 minutes. However, for those who want to see all of Barla, it makes more sense to set aside half a day; when the town's historic texture, the house where Said Nursi stayed, and the lake views are explored together, time is spent more meaningfully.
Barla Tour Route
The recommended order for those coming from Egirdir is as follows: first Cesnigir Pasa Camii, then the second house where Said Nursi stayed, then Aya Georgios Church, and finally the bridges and historic plane trees. This route is not tiring since it progresses from the upper section of the town downward.
Things to Keep in Mind
The mosque is an active place of worship. It is important to be quiet during your visit and not to disturb those who may be praying inside during prayer times. Women are expected to cover their heads, and everyone is expected to remove their shoes at the door. Be careful not to disturb the congregation when taking photographs.
Photo Points
The mosque's most striking feature is its onion-shaped minaret made of colored brick. Stepping back a few steps to photograph the front facade shows the minaret's form more clearly. The inscription above the door and the historic tombstone on the left side inside are also worthy details to examine closely.
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