Çayır Mosque, located in İçeribükü village of Ordu's Çaybaşı district, is a registered historical mosque built with wooden materials in 1867; it is a two-story structure on a stone base, notable for its geometrically carved beams, and can be visited for free.
Çayır Mosque is located in İçeribükü village, 4 kilometers from Çaybaşı district center. It was built at a point where villages merge, on the İkizce-Çaybaşı road. Like other wooden mosques in the region, it is positioned close to the settlement boundary. It is a registered cultural asset by the Samsun Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board of the Ministry of Culture.
The structure is estimated to have been completed in 1867. It was built as a two-story structure with wooden beams on a stone base. The inner surface of the beams between the first and second floors is adorned with geometric carvings, which is the most striking feature of the mosque. The walls were constructed by interlocking wooden planks, while the minbar and mihrab were later added as wooden elements. It has no minaret; like the four wooden mosques in Çaybaşı, this structure was originally designed as a Friday Mosque for Friday prayers. The fountain in the courtyard has the Hijri dates 1281 and 1288 carved on it. These dates, corresponding to 1864-65 and 1871 in the Gregorian calendar, may indicate the construction period of the mosque and the ablution fountain.
The mosque was faithfully restored by Ordu Metropolitan Municipality in the 2020s. The ablution fountain, toilet structure, and surrounding walls were also renovated within this scope; the work was carried out by preserving the intact wooden components. It is currently open for worship. It bears great resemblance in terms of construction technique to the Kargalı Wooden Mosque to the south.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Ordu historical places, Perşembe Plateau.
Guide's Note
What is Çayır Mosque, Why is it Important?
It is not clear from records who built the structure and exactly when, but the year 1867 is generally accepted. It rises two stories with wooden beams on a stone base. The inner surface of the beams between the two floors is decorated with geometric carvings, which is the most striking detail of the mosque. The minbar and mihrab were later added as wooden elements. The walls were constructed by interlocking wooden planks; it resembles a nail-free, traditional technique.
How to Get There?
The mosque is located in İçeribükü village, 4 kilometers from Çaybaşı district center, on the İkizce-Çaybaşı road. Access to Çaybaşı is provided by an asphalt road. Going to the village from the district by your own car is the most comfortable option. If you are coming from Ordu city center, you need to first head towards Çaybaşı, then turn towards İkizce.
Best Time to Visit
The mosque can be visited in all seasons, but the village road and the surrounding greenery look more vibrant in spring and summer. It is useful to check road conditions in winter as they may change. To enter outside of prayer times, it may be necessary to contact a villager or official.
Where to Look for Photos?
The most striking detail is the geometric carvings on the inner surface of the beams between the first and second floors. From the outside, the wooden clad facade on the stone base also provides a picturesque shot. The fountain in the courtyard, with its Hijri dates 1281 and 1288, is a small but meaningful detail.
Other Wooden Mosques in the Vicinity
There are a total of four wooden mosques in Çaybaşı district, all similar in construction technique and built at the border points of villages. The Kargalı Wooden Mosque to the south is the structure that bears the closest resemblance to Çayır Mosque. If you are visiting the region, seeing these mosques on the same day makes for a logical itinerary.
Things to Know Before Visiting
The structure is actively open for worship, so attention must be paid to prayer times. Intact wooden parts were preserved during the restoration work, but this is not a museum, it is still a functioning mosque. It is important to behave accordingly. For exact visiting hours, it is healthiest to get information from the Çaybaşı District Governorship or municipality.
Other Places to See in Çaybaşı
Besides Çayır Mosque, Çaybaşı district is also known for its natural spots such as Çayır Fountain, Kapılı Waterfall, and Tirfil Hill. Adding these places to your itinerary on the same day makes the visit more fulfilling if you have come a long way.
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