Yivli Minare – Antalya’s Fluted Minaret

Yivli Minare – The Fluted Minaret is an Icon of Antalya:

Yivli Minare - Fluted Minaret

One of the most prominent historical landmarks in Antalya is the Fluted Minaret (Yivli Minare).  Located in Kaleiçi (the old town centre), the Fluted Minaret is one of the oldest of Antalya’s Seljuk monuments and an icon of the city.

A Seljuk Minaret

The Yivli Minare was constructed on the orders of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, the Seljuk Sultan of Rûm who ruled from 1220-1237. Keykubad I was responsible for sponsoring large building campaigns across Anatolia so his name crops up in many historical Seljuk structures and monuments.

The 38-metre high Fluted Minaret stands on a huge square stone base measuring 6.5 metres tall and 5.5 metres wide. The Minaret’s eight semi-circular grooved red brick shaft was originally decorated with dark blue and turquoise-coloured tiles. With blue-glazaed tiles woven into every other row of the minaret trunk, it gave an illusion of stripes running up the flanks. It must have been quite a sight during its time.

On the north side of the trunk is a door from which 90 stairs lead up to the Minaret’s balcony.

Yivli Minare Camii

With every minaret, there is a mosque and the Fluted Minaret is part of a mosque that is known by various names – Alaaddin Camii (Alaaddin Mosque), Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque) and Yivli Minare Camii (Fluted Minaret Mosque).

Although the inscription at the entrance indicates that Yivli Minare Camii was built in 1373 by Mehmet Bey, grandson of Yunus Bey of the Hamitoglu clan, the original mosque was built in 1230. It was destroyed in the 14th century and Yivli Minare Camii was built in its place. Covered by six domes, Yivli Minare Camii is an early example of the multi-domed mosques of Anatolia.

See more pictures of Antalya’s Fluted Minaret at our Antalya gallery Here.

Map of Antalya:

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