Gülbahar Hatun Mosque

The mosque was built by Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1514 in memory of his mother, Gülbahar Hatun. It was originally part of a large complex (külliye) that included a tomb, madrasah, imaret, school, hammam, and dârülkurrâ. However, over time, only the mosque and tomb have survived to the present day. The original inscription of the mosque is lost; the inscription you see above the entrance gate today is a record of a repair from 1883-84. The tomb, built in 1505, even before the mosque, is the oldest structure of the complex.

The structure is of the zaviye-tabhane plan type, common in early Ottoman architecture. The 12x12 meter square harim is covered by a dome supported by pendentives. The dome rests on a dodecagonal drum from the outside. Cut stone is used in the walls, and dark gray and yellowish-white stone are used together in the windows and arches. The mosque receives light from a total of 23 windows, which is why it is much brighter than you might expect when you enter. The mihrab is made of marble, with simple border carvings, but its top part is adorned with floral motifs. Visitors particularly appreciate the preservation of the original glass paintings.

To the east of the mosque, there is a domed tomb in the shape of an octagonal prism. Gülbahar Hatun's sarcophagus is located here. All facades of the tomb, except the north face, have windows; embossed medallions above the window arches are noteworthy. The construction inscription and two basmalas are located above the southeast door. The courtyard is lively at all hours of the day, especially increasing in visitor and congregation density closer to prayer times.

It is located in the center of Trabzon, in the Ortahisar district, on the south side of Atapark. It is within walking distance from the city center; due to its proximity to Zağnos Bridge, it can be visited on the same route as Ortahisar and other historical structures in the vicinity. If you use public transport, Trabzon's central line network provides easy connections here.

Since the mosque is in a central location, it is more logical to plan it not as a standalone stop, but as part of a Trabzon city center tour. Atapark, Ortahisar Castle, and the surrounding historical Ottoman structures are within walking distance. It can easily be included in a half-day city center tour.

As it is an actively used mosque for worship, postpone your visit during prayer times or remain silent. You need to remove your shoes at the entrance, and women should bring a headscarf. The tomb section is a separate visiting area, so tranquility is important; taking photos can be a bit difficult during crowded hours.