Multicultural Architecture in Anatolia: Turkish Islam and Christianity in One Rock-Cut Complex

Authors : Nergis ATAÇ

Pages : 61-87

Doi:10.26650/sty.2023.1206824

View : 35 | Download : 35

Publication Date : 2023-06-26

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The Ihlara Valley rock-cut complex, located about 3km northwest of the village of Belisırma in Aksaray, sheds light on medieval settlement architecture. The complex consists of a mosque, two churches, and housing units with large salons, storage areas and tunnels. While the mosque is in the center of the settlement, the churches lie about 50-250m to the west. The mosque conforms to Seljuk models, the churches to Byzantine ones, and they reveal no alterations. Rock-cut settlements with churches and rock-cut mosques in medieval Anatolia are not unknown. However, few examples of mosques and churches in the same settlement or location have been preserved . Although a few rock-cut mosques in Anatolia have already been studied and evaluated, most Islamic rock-cut settlements remain unexplored. Does the rock-cut complex reveal a new aspect of Islamic rock-cut architecture? While continuity in Byzantine rock-cut architecture is supported, a greater prevalence of cohabitation of Christians and Muslims than generally admitted, in accordance with the needs and tastes of the Seljuks and Ottomans, is highlighted.
Keywords : Bizans, Türk İslam, Selçuklu, Yerleşke, Kayaya oyma