In the courtyard, the façades are a patchwork of ancient columns and carved friezes, Roman stone reused in Seljuk walls.

History

The Great Mosque of Diyarbakır, Ulu Camii, is the oldest mosque in Anatolia and possibly the oldest in Türkiye. A mosque was founded here in the 7th century after the Muslim conquest of the city in 639, possibly over part of the Roman forum. The present building dates from the Great Seljuks: the oldest inscription, on the western façade of the prayer hall, names Sultan Malik Shah and the date 1091–1092. Its layout follows the Great Mosque of Damascus, which Malik Shah had restored nine years earlier. Lightning set it on fire in 1115, and it was repaired in the 12th century.

The mosque today

It can hold up to 5,000 worshippers and hosts four Islamic traditions. Some regard it as the fifth holiest site in Islam.

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  Courtyard façades Reused ancient columns and friezes.
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  Prayer hall Inscription of Malik Shah.
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  City walls A short walk away.

Visiting a working mosque: cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, take off your shoes at the entrance, and avoid prayer times.