Hızır Bey Mosque in Eğirdir, Isparta, is a historic stone mosque featuring wooden interior columns and kündekari ceiling work, likely built in the 13th or 14th century and reconstructed after an 1814 fire.
Hızır Bey Mosque, also known as Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) among the public, stands in Eğirdir's Cami Neighborhood, at a point called Çınaraltı. Its construction date is not clear: some sources indicate Hijri 1298, some 1237, and some attribute it to the Anatolian Seljuk or Hamidoğulları Beylik period. It is believed that Hızırbey (d. 1328) had its walls built of masonry and its roof as an earth roof. The structure was damaged in a fire that engulfed Eğirdir in 1814 and was rebuilt close to its original state with aid collected from the public by Eğirdir's governor Yılanlıoğlu Şen Ali Ağa. Its roof was also covered with tiles in 1883 under the leadership of Hacı Murat Ağa.
What stands out inside is the wood. The four walls are stone, but the interior is divided by wooden columns; the ceiling is flat and is considered one of the good examples of kündekari technique. The mosque is large enough to accommodate 3,000 people at once. A section of the roof was left open to clear snow accumulated in winter, and there is also a snow well inside. The minaret is placed on the gate of the old castle wall, which is a shared wall between the mosque and Dündar Bey Madrasa.
Visitors often mention the mosque's tranquility: an atmosphere devoid of ornamentation but peaceful, with wooden columns and the muezzin's platform frequently highlighted details. It makes sense to visit it together with the Dündar Bey Madrasa directly opposite; rose coffee can be enjoyed in the madrasa's courtyard. Visitor density increases during Friday prayer times, and some comments indicate that toilet maintenance is insufficient.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
Eğirdir gets crowded in summer due to lake tourism, and the mosque area also shares in this activity. Spring and autumn offer a more comfortable visit in terms of both weather and quietness. Keep in mind that the mosque fills up during Friday prayer time; if you are planning a non-worship visit, choose another time.
How to Get There
From Isparta city center, Eğirdir is reached via the D-330 highway, a distance of approximately 36 km. After entering the district, the mosque is in Cami Neighborhood and within walking distance of the center. You can go by your own car or by minibuses operating between Isparta and Eğirdir, then walk to the mosque within the district.
For Photography
The row of wooden columns and the flat ceiling in the interior offer a good frame for capturing kündekari details. Outside, the stone walls of the mosque and the stone craftsmanship of the adjacent Dündar Bey Madrasa can be photographed together. The trees in the Çınaraltı area also provide a calm background for outdoor shots.
Other Stops Nearby
The mosque alone is a short visit; the main experience is completed with the Dündar Bey Madrasa opposite. Rose coffee can be enjoyed in the madrasa's courtyard, and prices are found to be reasonable. If you are visiting Eğirdir, the lakeside, Yeşilada, and castle ruins are nearby stops that can be combined on the same day.
Things to Consider Before Visiting
As a place of worship, appropriate attire and respect for prayer times are important. Some visitors note that toilet maintenance is insufficient, so be prepared for this. Parking around the mosque can become difficult before and after Friday prayers.
Historical Background of the Mosque
The exact construction date of the mosque varies among sources; some indicate Hijri 1298, some the year 1237, and some the Anatolian Seljuk or Hamidoğulları Beylik period. The structure, named after Hızırbey, was rebuilt with public aid after the 1814 Eğirdir fire, and its roof was covered with tiles in 1883. The fact that its minaret is built on the castle wall, sharing a wall with Dündar Bey Madrasa, shows that the structure is also linked to the city's defense history.
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