Ulu mosques in Diyarbakır districts

Diyarbakır has 13 districts beside four main districts. Some of the districts have been inhabited since early ages till today. Especially Meyyafarikin (Silvan), Antak (Lice), Eğil, Çermik, Hani and Ergani districts are the outstanding settlements of the Middle Ages. The fortresses of these districts being surrounded by walls are mentioned among the Medieval Islamic Period fortresses. For instance, Silvan district has an important place because of its location. It is on the main caravan route of Diyarbakir (Amid)- Bitlis. Silvan has been also the capital of many states. The districts of Ergani and Eğil are located on the Diyarbakir (Amid)- Harput Caravan route. The focus of the thesis is these districts and the traces of many civilizations. The most important traces among many monuments are the monuments of Islamic Civilization with its Great Mosques. The scope of my thesis is the Great Moques of Diyarbakır main districts and also the outlying districts. The first step of study started with getting the datas, documents and resources together. Concordantly, all the works being published about the region has been tried to attaint. Afterwards in 2016 July- August surveys started in the region, and continued in 2017 July- August. Consequentially, the great mosques found in Diyarbakır districts are photographed. And as the result of the study 10 Great Mosques are determined in the districts of Diyarbakır. The districts with Great Mosques are; Lice (Antak), Lice (Antak), Çermik (Cermug), Çüngüş (Çünkuş), Dicle (Piran), Eğil (Egil), Ergani (Osmaniye), Hani (Hini), Hazro (Tercil), Kocaköy (Karaz) and Silvan (Meyyafarikin). But the disticts of Bismil, Çınar and Kulp (Kulb) lack of Great Mosques. In terms of plan arrangement no new trials have been detected at the great mosques of Diyarbakır districts. The most common plan of İslamic art; the cross- sectional rectangular plan scheme is predominantly used. In addition to this, the basilical paln scheme and square plan, the single domed plan scheme has been used too. Antak Ulu Mosque, Çermik Ulu Mosque, Dicle Ulu Mosque, Kocaköy Ulu Mosque, Eğil Ulu Mosque, Hani Ulu Mosque and Silvan Ulu Mosque have a transverse rectangular plan scheme and show the arrangement of the area extending parallel to the nave. The nımber of the naves of these mosques are different. For instance at the great mosques of Çüngüş and Ergani the basilica plan scheme has been used. The naves of these mosques extend perpendicular to the mihrab. But at great mosque of Hazro the square plan- single domed scheme was preferred. As a result of our investigation of the great mosques the usage of barrel vault has been observed. The mihrabs front part of Silvan Ulu Mosque and Eğil Great Mosque and the sanctuary of Hazro Great Mosque are covered with a dome. But on the other hand we see that at Hani, Çüngüş and Ergani Great Mosques the cover system is carried by wooden rafters. Stone materials were used mostly in the large mosques which are the subject of the thesis. Stone material was generally used as cut stone or rubble material. Brick material was used only in Eğil Ulu Mosque. Wood material is preferred mostly in the inner covering of the buildings, at the gathering- place, door and window joinery. The large mosques in the districts of Diyarbakır are poor structures in ornamental care. The ornaments are stone ornaments and have geometric, vegetative, muqarnas and script characters. Local and regional features predominate the great mosques in the districts. Monumental monuments such as the Great Mosque of Silvan are not seen in these features. The Silvan Ulu Mosque influenced the subsequent mosque plan scheme in terms of plan and space understanding. Up to now, there are no studies dealing with large mosques in Diyarbakır districts as a whole. In the previous studies, one or more structures were studied. This study will be the first study to examine the large mosques in Diyarbakır districts in a whole and comprehensive way.