Decision 45 COM 8B.46

Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia (Türkiye)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC/23/45.COM/8B and WHC/23/45.COM/INF.8B1,
2. Inscribes the Medieval Mosques of Anatolia with Wooden Posts and Upper Structure, Türkiye, on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv);
3. Takes note of the following provisional Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
   
   

   Brief synthesis

   The nominated serial property is comprised of five hypostyle mosques built in Anatolia between the late 13th and mid-14th centuries, each of which is located in a different province of present-day Türkiye, as well as a number of associated buildings and a small graveyard. The components include the Great Mosque of Afyon (1272-77), the Great Mosque of Sivrihisar (1274-75) in Eskişehir; Ahi Şerefettin (Aslanhane) Mosque in Ankara (1289-90), the Eşrefoğlu Mosque of Beyşehir in Konya (1296-99), and the Mahmut Bey Mosque (1366-7) of Kasabaköyü in Kastamonu.

   The unusual structural system of the mosques combines an exterior building envelope built of masonry with multiple rows of wooden interior columns (“hypostyle”) that support a flat wooden ceiling and the roof. These mosques are known for the skilful woodcarving and workmanship used in their structures, architectural fittings, and furnishings. Some of them have an outstanding example of the late 13th century minbars with the tongue-and-groove construction (kündekari) technique They also bear inscriptions giving the names and titles of the craftsmen who made them as carpenter (neccar or derüdger) or decorator (nakkaş). The construction of these mosques, five of which have been selected as the best representatives of the wooden hypostyle mosques of medieval Anatolia, can be linked to the Mongol invasions of this area in the 1240s and the subsequent immigration of Central Asian craftspeople knowledgeable about wooden construction technology and possessing excellent woodworking skills, coupled with the driving forces from powerful political figures in the Anatolia region.

   Criterion (ii): The selected five mosques with wooden posts and a timber ceiling are significant evidence for the interchange of ideas and practices regarding a building type with a specific wooden construction that originated in the early Islamic period in the Arabian Peninsula and Central Asia, and transmitted to Anatolia during the medieval period. The nominated property exerted considerable influence in large areas of Anatolia from the 14th to early 20th centuries.

   Criterion (iv): The selected five mosques are the surviving representatives the hypostyle type mosques built in a unique wooden structure where the original timber ceilings composed of wooden beams running perpendicular and/or parallel to the kıbla wall, is carried by wooden columns that have capitals either with wooden muqarnas shells or marble (spolia). As a specific group, they testify an important historical period of medieval Anatolian architecture which illustrates expertise in timber construction techniques, use of wood as structural element, decorating style of interior, woodcarvings, and artworks.

   Integrity

   The serial property composed of five component parts contains all the necessary attributes that can reflect the architectural style, construction techniques, cultural traditions, workmanships and aesthetics of a major type of mosque that developed in the history of Islamic architecture. The unique timber construction system, wooden architectural elements and decorations; the form and design of its components, traditional historic settings where the components are located and historic cultural and social relations and the functions have been well preserved and all these are included within the boundaries of the nominated property. The form and structural design of each individual component of the nominated property is largely intact. As each component of the property is located within whether urban sites (designated historic conservation zones) or delineated conservation areas their setting as well as visual integrity with their environs are well preserved. Furthermore, all the components of the nominated property have a designated buffer zone which comprises a wider setting of each component and important views in order to sustain the relations and values of the site. Restrictions for new developments have been determined within the buffer zones of each component of the nominated property with the conservation plans. Besides the components of the nominated property are protected by a strict regime of maintenance and control, derived from extensive statutory protection.

   Authenticity

   Each component of the property retains a high degree of authenticity in terms of form and design, materials and substance, use and function, spirit and feeling, traditions and management system, location and setting. The mosques retain their original layout together with the valid contributions of later periods. The most important intervention to the form and design of the components were carried out during 1940’s and 1950’s. Due to difficulty of implementations such as periodic maintenance and repair, renovation, rainwater isolation and drainage in practice, and extra load they put on the structure, form and materials of the authentic flat earthen roof of each component have been modified with restorations and changed with pitched roof covered with copper, lead and tile sheeting on the exterior. Most of the architectural elements of the monuments preserve their authenticity. Hence, they reflect examples of traditional material, craftmanship and technique of their period. Each component has maintained its original function since its construction date, and prayer services are conducted regularly. Each component has spiritual and intangible values not only for the local people but also for the wider public. Hence the property retains high degree of authenticity in spirit and feeling of the place.

   Protection and management requirements

   All nominated components are protected under the most fundamental law concerning protection in Turkey, Law on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Properties numbered 2863 and dated 1983. Except for Mahmut Bey Mosque in Kastamonu, all mosques and their buffer zones are located within the boundaries of an “urban site”. The proposed mosques are also protected by Foundations Law No. 5737, which was amended and entered into force in 2008. All projects and implementations related to foundation properties are carried out by Regional Directorates for Foundations. The sites have also proper conservation and management mechanisms which ensured its protection for decades. A site manager was appointed in order to coordinate the necessary works defined in management plan in order to protect, enhance and promote not only the properties but also the wider setting. Also, advisory boards and coordination and supervision boards comprising the representative of the local people, academicians, NGO’s, local authorities and conservation authorities were established.

4. Recommends that the State Party give consideration to the following:
   1. Completing the establishment of the sub-working groups within the scope of the management plan,
   2. Completing the Heritage Impact Assessment Report of the cable car project near the Afyonkarahisar Ulu Mosque and submitting it to the World Heritage Centre for review by ICOMOS,
   3. Completing the comprehensive risk management plan for the serial property as a whole,
   4. Developing a maintenance manual based on internationally accepted conservation principles,
   5. Updating the outdated conservation plans of the component parts,
   6. Implementing the tourism-related actions described in the management plan,
   7. Developing a set of indicators to assess the effectiveness of the outcomes of implementing the management plan of the property;
   8. Controlling the factors that affect the property and, in particular, immediately addressing the threats common to all five component parts, including fire, insects, moisture, and deterioration of the settings,
   9. Undertaking comprehensive documentation of all the mosques following a common standard, with the outcomes to be used as the baseline information for monitoring and management,
   10. Building capacity for maintenance and monitoring staff,
   11. Conserving the dismantled original pieces in safe storage for research and reference,
   12. Improving the current monitoring system by establishing the links between the monitoring outcomes and responsive actions;
5. Decides that the name of the property be changed to “Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia”;
6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 December 2024, a report on the implementation of the above-mentioned recommendations for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 47th session.