Centuries-Old Mosque Discovered in Central Turkey’s Cappadocia Region
The previously undocumented structure was found in the village of Taşkınpaşa, located in the Ürgüp district of Nevşehir province, during cleaning efforts in a rock-cut storage area, according to researchers from Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University.
Art historians conducting a surface survey in the area identified the mosque, which includes a well-preserved mihrab—an architectural element that typically indicates a space intended for Muslim prayer, Daily Sabah reported on Tuesday.
Associate Professor Savaş Maraşlı, a member of the university’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, noted that the mosque does not appear in any known historical records. “The site, hidden for centuries, has survived in remarkable condition. It features decorations, materials and techniques familiar from the Seljuk era that continued into the beylik period,” he said.
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Experts believe the building may date back to the Eretna Beylik, one of several small principalities that ruled parts of Anatolia following the decline of the Seljuk Empire in the 14th century. These beyliks played a key role in preserving architectural traditions that bridged the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.
Associate Professor Alper Altın described the discovery as “exciting” and emphasized that further study will be needed to clarify the site’s original function.
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Taşkınpaşa village is already known for its historical landmarks, including a 16th-century madrasa (Islamic school) and mosque complex from the Ottoman period.
Local resident Mehmet Ersen, 63, recalled hearing vague accounts from visitors years ago about a mosque in the area. “Tourists visiting decades ago mentioned a mosque, but no work had been carried out until now,” he said.
Source: Agencies
