It is one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia. In the history of architecture in Anatolia, the mosque is an important building in the development of the idea of interior space. It is one of the rare examples of a kufe type mosque with a flat roof, a rectangular plan and entrance to the courtyard from three directions. It was built at a time when the idea of a dome had not yet developed. According to some scientists, it is also accepted as a work of the Danişmendi period. Danışmend people settled in Sivas, Kayseri and Malatya between 1085 and 1178. Tokat, Niksar Ulu Mosque (1145), Kayseri Ulu Mosque (mid-12th century), Tokat Yağıbasan (Çukur) Madrasa (1151-52), Niksar Melik Nizamettin Yağıbasan (1157-58), Niksar Kulak Lodge and Tomb; Kayseri-Pınarbaşı –Türbe Village Melik Danişmend Tomb is some of the Danişmentli works.
The Ulu Mosque has internal dimensions of 54.70 x 33.70 meters. The main entrance door and other doors of the building are unadorned. On the original altar, which was unearthed during the restoration in 1955, there are decorations that form squares by cutting two intersecting octagons with geometric knitting motifs, with arms coming from the edges. During the restoration, the decorations of the altar were arranged simply with stone materials. There is no decorative element other than the seven rows of muqarnas arches that get narrower towards the top. The Ulu Mosque has a graveyard consisting of 23 graves from the Ottoman Period. According to the inscription found during the 1955 restoration, it is understood that it was built by Kızılarslan bin İbrahim in Kul Ahi during the reign of Kutbettin Melikşah in 1196-97.
It was built during the Mengücek Principality period of the Anatolian Seljuk State. The Ulu Mosque was built by Ahmet Shah, son of Süleyman Şah; Darüşşifa was built by his wife Melike Turan Melek. The Chief Architect of the building complex, which was started in 1228 and completed in 1243, was Ahlatlı Hürrem Şah, son of Muğis.
It was revealed that the minaret of the Ulu Mosque, which was built between 1196 and 1197 by Kudbeddin Melih Shah, the son of Kılıçarslan II during the Seljuk State, had changes in its slope over time, and the minaret, which is 35 meters high from the ground, was deliberately made inclined by the masters.
It is known that the mosque was repaired by Izzeddin Keykavus I in 1212 and its minaret was built in 1213.
The moment I stepped into the unique architecture of the Sivas Grand Mosque, I found myself intertwined with history. The symmetrical and geometric arches of the mosque display the perfect unity of spirituality and engineering, art and mathematics, in an eye-catching order. The peace and silence echoing under each arch proves that this historical place is not only a place of worship, but also a work of art that traces civilizations. Realizing the legacy that this magnificent mosque carries from past to present touched me deeply.
A very old and spiritual mosque
There is a small cemetery in the garden of the mosque, which contains the graves of İhramcızade İsmail Hakkı Toprak and some of the other notables of Sivas.
It's free and no museum card required. It is in the center of the city and very close to other places to visit. Its minaret is slightly inclined.
Although it was built during the Seljuk period, it is also accepted as a Danishmend work in some sources. Danışmentli, who joined the Seljuks in 1178, continued to produce architectural examples named after them until the end of this century. The construction date of this mosque coincides with the period when the Danışment people maintained their dominance in the region.
It is one of the rare examples of a kufe type mosque with a flat roof, a rectangular plan and entrance to the courtyard from three directions.
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