Ortahisar Mosque, the oldest structure within Trabzon's city walls, was built as a cathedral in the 10th century and converted into a mosque by Fatih Sultan Mehmed in 1461. It is open for visits with its stone mihrab and walnut wood minbar, and entry is free.
Ortahisar Mosque was originally a cathedral. It was built in the early 10th century (913-914) under the name Panagia Chrysokephalos, meaning the Golden-Headed Virgin Mary Church, and became the place where Komnenos kings were crowned. It largely took its current form in the 13th century: a transept was added, converting it into a closed cross plan, and an outer narthex was built to the west. After the conquest of Trabzon by Fatih Sultan Mehmed in 1461, as was tradition, the city's main church was converted into a mosque. According to legend, Fatih performed his first Friday prayer here.
During its conversion into a mosque, the entrance was moved to the north, a minaret was erected in place of the bell tower, and a stone mihrab was placed in the middle of the south wall. The mihrab is adorned with geometric borders reminiscent of Seljuk examples. The minbar is made of walnut wood, only its eastern face is carved, but the details are striking. The structure was also known as Cami-i Atik (Old Mosque) during the Ottoman period. It looks simple from the outside, but once inside, you realize how different a story the architectural traces tell; the marks of its transformation from church to mosque are still visible, especially in the plan and wall proportions.
Between 2015 and 2017, it underwent extensive restoration by the Regional Directorate of Foundations, a work considered important for revealing the original data of the structure. Reviews describe the mosque as small but impressive, with some saying there isn't much to see inside, and that the main impact comes from its exterior and history. It is a recommended place for those seeking a quiet environment for worship.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Trabzon historical places, Sümela Monastery.
Guide's Note
How the Church Became a Mosque
The origin of the structure dates back to 913-914, to the Panagia Chrysokephalos Church. This church, where Komnenos kings were crowned, was expanded between 1214-1235 during the reigns of Alexios I and Andronikos Gidos I; a transept was added to the central part, giving it a closed cross plan. With the conquest of Trabzon in 1461, Fatih Sultan Mehmed converted the city's main church into a mosque. The entrance was moved to the north, a minaret was built in place of the bell tower, and a stone mihrab and walnut minbar were added to the south wall. The structure, also known as Cami-i Atik, thus bears both Byzantine and Ottoman traces within the same building.
Architectural Details and Photo Spots
The mihrab is in the form of a triangular niche, its side faces adorned with geometric borders; it bears a style reminiscent of Seljuk stone craftsmanship. The minbar is made of walnut wood, only its eastern face is carved, but the door and throne parts are full of wooden carving details. The minaret is placed on a high plinth separate from the main building, near the north entrance; this detached position distinguishes the mosque from other Trabzon mosques. Photos taken from the exterior facade clearly show the stone craftsmanship and window arrangement remaining from the church period.
Best Time to Visit
Since the mosque is actively open for worship, visiting outside of prayer times allows for a more comfortable tour. The hours before noon are preferred, both because the light hits the stone surfaces better and because visitor density is lower. It is advisable to avoid the hours before and after Friday prayers, as the mosque gets crowded during these times.
Transportation
Ortahisar Mosque is located in Trabzon city center on Zağnos Street, west of the Government House. It is possible to reach it on foot from the city center. For those going by public transport, bus lines 121, 133A, 136, 203C, and 501 pass nearby. The closest stops are Soğuksu Cd Giriş and Gülbaharhatun, both within a 7-minute walk of the mosque.
Other Stops Nearby
Since the mosque is in the historical center of Ortahisar, there are other historical structures in its vicinity. Gülbahar Hatun Mosque is located in the nearby neighborhood. The castle walls and the old streets of Ortahisar are also within walking distance. Adding this mosque to a one-day Trabzon city center tour is possible without losing extra time.
Things to Note When Visiting
As it is an active place of worship, it is necessary to be quiet and respectful. Headscarves for female visitors are usually provided at the entrance. Shoes must be removed, so wearing socks is practical. Reviews indicate that the exterior architecture is more impressive than the interior; those coming for a short visit can be prepared for this.
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