Tekke Mosque is a wooden mosque located in Kargalı Neighborhood, Çaybaşı district of Ordu, dating back to the second half of the 19th century, and can be visited free of charge.
Kargalı Mosque, also known as Tekke Mosque, is located in Kargalı Neighborhood, Çaybaşı district of Ordu. Its exact construction date has not been documented. However, according to the findings of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ali Bayhan from Atatürk University, based on its plan layout and the decorations in the women's section of the sanctuary, the structure dates to the second half of the 19th century. It bears similarities in both construction style and period to the Çaybaşı Çayır Mosque in the same region. The dates H. 1281 and H. 1288 (M. 1864-65 and M. 1871) on the ablution fountain of Çayır Mosque suggest that both mosques might have been built around these years.
The changes the structure underwent are also recorded: it underwent a major renovation in 1905, and in 1985, the northern wall of the sanctuary was removed, and the northern portico was incorporated into the interior. The mosque you see today is not the result of a single construction phase, but a structure that has passed through the hands of several generations. The last prayer section supported by wooden columns and the rectangular plan within the courtyard constitute a typical example of the 19th-century Black Sea wooden mosque tradition in the region.
The mosque is still open for worship and used by local residents. It is not a major tourist spot, but rather a quiet stop to visit while exploring Çaybaşı and its surroundings. If you are interested in wooden craftsmanship within the rural fabric of Kargalı Neighborhood, it is suitable for a short break.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Ordu historical places, Perşembe Plateau.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
The roads leading to Kargalı Neighborhood are rural, so spring and summer months are more comfortable for transportation. In winter, precipitation and road conditions can be challenging, especially as you go further inland. If you want to enter the mosque outside of prayer times, you may need to contact the local residents.
How to Get There?
You need to turn inland from the 3rd kilometer of the Ünye-Samsun State Highway in the direction of Samsun and proceed for approximately 30 km. The route extends to Kargalı Neighborhood via Ordu's Çaybaşı district. Public transport services are limited in the region, so going by private car is the most practical option. There are narrow village passages along the way, so careful driving is required.
How Much Time Should You Allocate?
The mosque is a small-scale structure, and a 20-30 minute visit is sufficient. If you include other points of interest in Çaybaşı district, especially Çayır Mosque, on the same day, you can make it a half-day Çaybaşı tour.
Route Suggestion
It makes sense to visit Tekke Mosque together with Çaybaşı Çayır Mosque. Both structures are similar in terms of plan and construction period, offering a comparative travel experience. Since the distance between the two mosques is short, you can easily see both on the same day. Stopping at Boztepe or coastal stops on your way back to Ordu city center completes the day.
Photo Spots
The wooden last prayer section and the columns supporting it are the most striking details. Inside, the decorations in the women's section are the most concrete traces reflecting the mosque's 19th-century character. On the exterior, the mosque's integration with the village fabric also offers a valuable shot for photography.
Things to Pay Attention To
The mosque is still an active place of worship, so respectful behavior is required during prayer times. Since it is located in a rural neighborhood, opening hours are not fixed; it is useful to confirm with a local source or the neighborhood headman's office before going. GPS signal may be weak due to road conditions, so downloading the route beforehand will make your job easier.
About the Structure
The exact construction date of the mosque is unknown, but its architectural features and the decorations in the women's section point to the second half of the 19th century. It underwent a significant renovation in 1905, and in 1985, the northern wall was removed, and the northern portico was incorporated into the interior. This change is a concrete example of how the structure has transformed over time.
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