The Crooked Minaret attracts attention with its resemblance to the world-famous Pisa Tower in Italy. Located on Nevşehir Street in the city center of Aksaray, the Crooked Minaret is one of the important historical artifacts that have survived from the Seljuk Period to the present day. The minaret is called Crooked Minaret by the public because of its crookedness, and it is also known as the Red Minaret because of the red bricks.
The Eğri Minaret, a 13th century Seljuk work, was built by the father of Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat, Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev I, between 1221-1236. The minaret is made of red bricks bonded with Khorasan mortar. The cylindrical body on a four-sided base is divided into two parts by a thin molding. The lower part is covered with zigzag and the upper part with blue and green tile mosaics. The Eğri Minaret, which has one balcony and 92 steps, is 30.6 meters high.
Three different inclinations have been detected on the Crooked Minaret. The Crooked Minaret, which is inclined 2° 28′ 14.16” from the ground, was determined to be inclined 3° 11′ 18.08” from the top of the table it sits on, while the table it sits on is inclined 44′ 48.59”. It has always been wondered whether the Crooked Minaret was built inclined or whether it was leaned later. According to research, it is generally accepted that the Crooked Minaret was built inclined by its master. The Crooked Minaret, which has remained standing for approximately 800 years, is one of the unique examples of Seljuk architecture.
The architect who built the minaret, both defied the law of gravity and made the minaret crooked in the opposite direction of the river (northwest) on the river bank, which was a bad ground, is a complete masterpiece of architecture. The Crooked Minaret, which has survived for about 800 years, reveals the quality of Seljuk architecture.
"Considering the average 3.5 degree curvature of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, there was a ground collapse there. It is a bit surprising that the minaret is still standing despite a 3.5 to 7 degree change. We attribute this to the strength of the material and the movement of the ground with the structure," he said.
It dates back to the Seljuk period and was built between 1221 and 1237 during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubad I. It is also known as the Red Minaret because it is made of red brick.
The cylindrical body, placed on a four-sided base, is divided into two parts by a thin molding, the lower part is covered with zigzag mosaics, and the upper part is covered with blue and green tile mosaics.
The minaret was tied with steel ropes in 1973 because it was in danger of collapse. The mosque next to it was built later.
The Leaning Minaret attracts attention with its resemblance to the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
You can't get too close to it because it's protected for security purposes, but it doesn't prevent it from being seen. We can say that its texture is a beautiful work of art. A few structures around it also draw attention.
I was really surprised when I saw it. It resembles the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Its curvature is more than it appears in the photos. The minaret was tried to be fixed with steel ropes. If you come to Aksaray center, I definitely recommend you to visit it.
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