Meydan Mosque is an Ottoman-era mosque in Tokat city center, built in 1485 for Glbahar Hatun, mother of Bayezid II, distinguished by its two-colored stone portal and five-domed portico.
Meydan Mosque stands on the wide area from which Meydan Neighborhood in Tokat takes its name. According to its inscription, it was built in 1485 (890 Hijri) in the name of Glbahar Hatun, mother of Sultan Bayezid II; for this reason, it is also referred to as Hatuniye Mosque, and in some records, Glbahar Hatun Mosque. It was once a complex (klliye) consisting of a mosque, madrasah, and imaret, but the madrasah has completely disappeared, and the imaret remains in ruins. The main structure standing today is the square-plan, single-domed sanctuary section built of cut stone.
The portal (takapı) is the most striking part of the structure. It is built with two-colored stone, with a muqarnas veil under a Bursa arch at the top, and an arched entrance opening at the bottom. Inscriptions in the form of medallions are located above the niches on both sides of the gate. Marble is used in the five-domed portico; the dome transitions in the sanctuary rest on a twelve-sided drum provided with muqarnas. There are tabhane rooms on both sides, and a muezzin's gallery accessible by stairs to the north. The fountain in front of the mosque was added much later, at the beginning of the 20th century.
Visitors note the silence that envelops them upon entering, despite its location in the very center of the city. Another frequently mentioned point in comments is the view it creates with the clock tower behind the mosque. It has a Google rating of 4.8, with over 300 reviews. However, recent comments indicate that the mosque is under restoration and closed for worship. It is necessary to confirm this situation before visiting.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Tokat historical places, Topam Plateau.
Guide's Note
History and Architecture
The mosque was built in 1485 in the name of Glbahar Hatun, mother of Sultan Bayezid II. The waqf deed at the General Directorate of Foundations is dated 1492. Originally, it was planned as a complex (klliye) consisting of a mosque, madrasah, and imaret; the madrasah has not survived to this day, and the imaret is in ruins. The sanctuary, built of cut stone, has a square plan and a single dome; on both sides, there are square-plan, domed tabhane rooms. The dome rests on a twelve-sided drum, with transitions provided by muqarnas.
Stone Portal and Details
The most photographed part of the structure is the stone portal, crafted with two-colored stone. At the top, there is a muqarnas veil under a Bursa arch, and at the bottom, an arched entrance. Inscriptions in the form of medallions on the niches on both sides of the gate are noteworthy. The five domes and marble column capitals in the portico are also worth examining closely; the columns have muqarnas and stalactite capitals.
Best Time to Visit
Since the mosque is a small-scale structure, it can be seen with a short visit. Those who want to avoid the midday heat in summer can prefer the morning hours. The stone craftsmanship of the portal is more distinct in the afternoon light. The current situation may change due to restoration; it is necessary to confirm before visiting.
Transportation
Meydan Mosque is located in Glbaharhatun Neighborhood, Tokat city center. It is possible to reach it on foot from any point close to the city center. For those coming from the bus station, a taxi or city minibus will take you to the center in a short time. The clock tower and other historical structures in the vicinity are also within walking distance.
Other Structures in the Vicinity
The mosque is located at a central point where Tokat's historical fabric is concentrated. The nearby clock tower is an element frequently photographed together by visitors. You can easily include other Ottoman and Seljuk period structures, madrasahs, and caravanserais in the city center in your itinerary; all are within a short walking distance.
Things to Note
Recent visitor comments indicate that the mosque is closed for worship due to restoration work. This situation may be temporary, so it is advisable to get up-to-date information from the Tokat Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism or local sources before you go. As the mosque is an active place of worship, it is necessary to dress appropriately for modesty and be mindful of prayer times.
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