İzmir: The İsa Bey Mosque

Although it does not go as far back as the Ephesus next to it, you may want to visit the İsa Bey Mosque, which Evliya Çelebi mentioned in his travel book and which turned into ruins over time. The mosque was examined by the Austrian authorities in the 1890s and underwent various restorations over time.

History of the Mosque

Becoming the capital of the Aydınoğulları Emirate (the Aydinids / Aydinid dynasty) in 1348 and keeping that position until 1390, Ayasuluk witnessed intensive construction activities. Among the mosques and baths from those days, the most outstanding monument is the İsa Bey Mosque. According to the inscription on the portal, the patron of this mosque, İsa Bey, is known as a scientist and a patron of scientists, andd the architect was Ali, son of the Damascene, and the mosque was completed in 1375.

The architect was inspired by Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, and Harran and Diyarbakır mosques in Türkiye. Havaing a plan different than Seljuk and Ottoman mosques, it measures 51 m x 57 m. It has two naves parallel to the mihrab wall. The central portion is surmounted with two domes and the naves on both sides are covered with gable roofs. To the north is a courtyard with porticoes on three sides originally and in the middle is a fountain for ritual ablution. There are three gates opening outside from the courtyard. One of the two minarets over the east and west gates in standing halfway today. The main facade is on the west and deorated with coloured stones.

Historian Cahit Telci, in his article published in 2010, presented the idea that for the mosque built outside the castle, the people living in the castle visited this place for their worship and returned again.

How to get to the İsa Bey Mosque?

For more details about transportation: Izmir Airport Transportation Guide 

Selçuk is one of the most visited districts of İzmir. It is very popular thanks to its proximity to Kusadasi and Ephesus Ruins. There are frequent minibus services from Kuşadası to Selçuk. There are also minibus services from Özdere, Ürkmez and Gümüldür. For those coming from Izmir, I have a suggestion if they are not going to rent a car: İZBAN. You can reach Selçuk by taking the train departing from Aliağa or Menemen and going in the direction of Tepeköy, and transferring at Tepeköy. After that, you can reach the mosque in a maximum of 15 minutes on foot.