Yeni Cami (Hacı Yusuf Mosque) is a historic mosque located in Selçuklu Neighborhood, Malatya city center, completed in 1913 after the 1894 earthquake, known for its cut stone structure, two-balcony minarets, and classical Ottoman architecture.
Yeni Cami is also known as Teze Cami in Malatya. Today's structure was built on the same site after the Hacı Yusuf Mosque, commissioned by Hocazade Hacı Yusuf in 1843, was destroyed in the great earthquake of March 3, 1894. Completed in 1913, the building is considered one of Malatya's iconic landmarks in the city center.
The main hall, with a square plan measuring 28.50 x 28.50 meters, rises entirely from cut stone. In the center, there is a large dome resting on four elephant feet, while barrel vaults on the sides and four small domed windows at the corners complete this main mass. The mihrab on the south wall protrudes outwards in a pentagonal semi-circular shape, bearing traces of classical Ottoman mosque architecture with its stone surface divided by embedded columns and a semi-dome above it.
Above the main entrance door in the middle of the north wall, there is an Arabic inscription. There are also side doors on the east and west walls. Two minarets with two balconies rise in the northern corners; one of these stands as a single-balcony, cut-stone minaret remaining from the old mosque, and it no longer has its balcony.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Malatya historical places, Arapgir Grand Mosque.
Guide's Note
History
The predecessor of today's Yeni Cami was the Hacı Yusuf Mosque, built in 1843 by the scholar Hocazade Hacı Yusuf. This structure was severely damaged and destroyed in the great Malatya earthquake of March 3, 1894. The mosque, rebuilt on the same site, was completed in 1913 and over time became one of the most recognized structures in the city center. It is still referred to as Teze Cami by the local people.
Architectural Details
The mosque was built of cut stone on a square plan measuring 28.50 x 28.50 meters. In the center of the main hall, there is a large dome resting on four elephant feet, with barrel vaults on the sides. The four corners of the square space are covered with small domed windows. The mihrab on the south wall protrudes outwards in a pentagonal semi-circular shape, drawing attention with its stone surface separated by embedded columns and a semi-dome above it. The last congregation area is covered by arches connecting four columns and five small domes.
Best Time to Visit
Daytime hours outside of prayer times are more suitable for visiting. The mosque interior is quieter in the morning and afternoon, giving you the opportunity to comfortably examine the inscribed gate on the north facade and the stone masonry. Postpone your visit during Friday prayer time.
How to Get There
Yeni Cami is located in the city center, in Malatya's Selçuklu Neighborhood. If you are close to the center, you can reach it on foot. City buses and dolmuş lines from different parts of the city go to the center, from where the mosque is a short walk away. It can also be reached by taxi from the center in a few minutes.
How Much Time to Allocate
Exploring the exterior facade of the mosque, its minarets, and the inscribed entrance gate takes 15-20 minutes. If you wish to go inside and examine the mihrab and dome details, you can extend the duration to 30 minutes. It can be included in a half-day walking route along with other historical structures in Malatya city center.
Things to Consider During Your Visit
As it is an active mosque open for worship, pay attention to prayer times. If you enter, you must remove your shoes, and women must wear a headscarf. Due to the old minaret remaining without its balcony, ascent is not permitted; it can only be viewed from the outside.
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