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Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği

Turkey
Date of Inscription: 1985
Criteria: (i)(iv)
Core zone: 2016 ha
City and District of Divriği, Province of Sivas (Eastern Anatolia)
N39 22 25 E38 07 25
Ref: 358

Brief Description

This region of Anatolia was conquered by the Turks at the beginning of the 11th century. In 1228–29 Emir Ahmet Shah founded a mosque, with its adjoining hospital, at Divrigi. The mosque has a single prayer room and is crowned by two cupolas. The highly sophisticated technique of vault construction, and a creative, exuberant type of decorative sculpture – particularly on the three doorways, in contrast to the unadorned walls of the interior – are the unique features of this masterpiece of Islamic architecture.