The ornaments of Kırşehir Ahi Evran Mosque

The construction of Ahi Evran Mosque in Ahi Evran Street in the center of Kırşehir started in 1277.The structure was built as an inverted T-shaped, two-iwaned and over domed as a tomb. In this study, the architecture, interior and exterior decoration of Ahi Evran Mosque, which was started in the 14th century belong to Seljuk period was studied in detail and supported with photographs and drawings. Although the mosque is rich in decoration, it is one of the aims of this study to be planned. The mosque reflecting the culture and art of the Seljuk period corresponds to the last periods of the Seljuk period. The mosque is called Zaviyeli because of the guest house which is used as a reading room. This feature is also seen in the Principality Period. However, the work belongs to the Seljuk period architecture as it carries the characteristics of the Seljuk Period architecture. Ornaments in the mosque, where work of chisel technique ornaments are used intensively, are generally made of leaf pattern, herbal pattern, panj pattern and rumi pattern.In the mosque where stone ornament is rarely seen, it is seen that yellow and black stones are carved in the decoration. Decorations are made of geometric motifs such as stars and guilloche. The decorations and parts of the Ahi Evran Mosque have undergone significant changes and destruction. In some spaces, it is seen that ornament compositions are changed, while in some spaces it is completely ruled out. Alterations were not limited to ornaments, but were also influential in the altar of the mihrab, minbar and sermon desk. These elements were replaced and the ones that were built later were not reflected the originals. It should be our responsibility and duty to carry out the maintenance and repair of the ornaments of the Ahi Evran Mosque in time and transferred to the next generations, which is one of our important structures in terms of history and architecture. Key Words: Seljuk Period, Ahi Evran Mosque, Work Of Chisel Technique, Zaviyeli Mosque, Ornament