Documentation in architectural conservation: Bilecik-Vezirhan Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque restıtutıon proposal

Mehmet Fatih Aydın; Ebru Ulaş Sarıaydın

Article Details

Documentation in architectural conservation: Bilecik-Vezirhan Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque restıtutıon proposal

Authors:

Mehmet Fatih Aydın | Ebru Ulaş Sarıaydın

Publisher:

Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University

Main Topics:

Kent Tarihi | İslam Tarihi ve Medeniyeti

Journal:

Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 3, pp.1787-1805

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359038

pISSN:

2149-3871

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study, which addresses comprehensive documentation in the conservation and restoration planning of historic buildings, takes the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque, located in the town of Vezirhan in Bilecik, as a case study and presents a restitution proposal for the monument. On the adjacent parcel to the southeast stands the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai. Situated along the Bilecikİzmit road, the mosque was commissioned by Köprülü Mehmet Pasha in 1655. The rectangular-plan structure has load-bearing walls entirely built of ashlar masonry, terminating with corbelled eaves, and is covered with a hipped roof. The narthex, whose roof is carried by six columns on the northern façade and additional columns on the western and eastern sides, establishes spatial continuity along the entrance front and side openings of the mosque. The minaret, also constructed of ashlar masonry, was rebuilt in 1965 in accordance with its original form. Today, significant surface losses can be observed on the façades, particularly on the masonry of the minaret. The original mihrab, now concealed by a later wooden cladding, is inaccessible in terms of its authentic details. Structural damage to the wooden roof and ceiling covering has also resulted in persistent moisture problems. Moreover, deficiencies remain in terms of archival data and scholarly evaluations concerning the building. Within this framework, the present article aims to contribute to the literature by introducing architectural and historical findings, supported by archival documents, and by advancing a restitution proposal for the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque in Vezirhan within a broader scope of research.

 This study, which addresses comprehensive documentation in the conservation and restoration planning of historic buildings, takes the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque, located in the town of Vezirhan in Bilecik, as a case study and presents a restitution proposal for the monument. On the adjacent parcel to the southeast stands the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai. Situated along the Bilecikİzmit road, the mosque was commissioned by Köprülü Mehmet Pasha in 1655. The rectangular-plan structure has load-bearing walls entirely built of ashlar masonry, terminating with corbelled eaves, and is covered with a hipped roof. The narthex, whose roof is carried by six columns on the northern façade and additional columns on the western and eastern sides, establishes spatial continuity along the entrance front and side openings of the mosque. The minaret, also constructed of ashlar masonry, was rebuilt in 1965 in accordance with its original form. Today, significant surface losses can be observed on the façades, particularly on the masonry of the minaret. The original mihrab, now concealed by a later wooden cladding, is inaccessible in terms of its authentic details. Structural damage to the wooden roof and ceiling covering has also resulted in persistent moisture problems. Moreover, deficiencies remain in terms of archival data and scholarly evaluations concerning the building. Within this framework, the present article aims to contribute to the literature by introducing architectural and historical findings, supported by archival documents, and by advancing a restitution proposal for the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque in Vezirhan within a broader scope of research.

 This study, which addresses comprehensive documentation in the conservation and restoration planning of historic buildings, takes the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque, located in the town of Vezirhan in Bilecik, as a case study and presents a restitution proposal for the monument. On the adjacent parcel to the southeast stands the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai. Situated along the Bilecikİzmit road, the mosque was commissioned by Köprülü Mehmet Pasha in 1655. The rectangular-plan structure has load-bearing walls entirely built of ashlar masonry, terminating with corbelled eaves, and is covered with a hipped roof. The narthex, whose roof is carried by six columns on the northern façade and additional columns on the western and eastern sides, establishes spatial continuity along the entrance front and side openings of the mosque. The minaret, also constructed of ashlar masonry, was rebuilt in 1965 in accordance with its original form. Today, significant surface losses can be observed on the façades, particularly on the masonry of the minaret. The original mihrab, now concealed by a later wooden cladding, is inaccessible in terms of its authentic details. Structural damage to the wooden roof and ceiling covering has also resulted in persistent moisture problems. Moreover, deficiencies remain in terms of archival data and scholarly evaluations concerning the building. Within this framework, the present article aims to contribute to the literature by introducing architectural and historical findings, supported by archival documents, and by advancing a restitution proposal for the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque in Vezirhan within a broader scope of research.

 Tarihi yapıların korunması ve restorasyon planlamasında kapsamlı belgelemeyi konu alan bu çalışma, Bilecikin Vezirhan beldesinde yer alan Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Camini alan çalışması olarak örneklemekte ve restitüsyon önerisi sunmaktadır. Caminin güneydoğusundaki bitişik parselde, Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Kervansarayı bulunmaktadır. Bilecik-İzmit yolu üzerinde yer alan cami Köprülü Mehmet Paşa tarafından 1655te yaptırılmıştır. Dikdörtgen planlı caminin beden duvarları tamamen kesme taştan yapılmış olup, duvarlar kirpi saçaklarla sonlanır. Yapı kırma çatı ile örtülüdür. Üst örtüsü, kuzey cephedeki altı sütun ile batı ve doğu cephelerdeki sütunlar tarafından taşınan son cemaat yeri, caminin giriş cephesi ve yan açıklıkları boyunca mekânsal süreklilik oluşturur. Minare de kesme taştan olup, özgün durumuna uygun olarak 1965te yeniden yapılmıştır. Günümüzde cephelerde ve özellikle minarede kesme taşlarda ciddi yüzey kayıpları görülmektedir. Caminin özgün mihrabı yakın tarihte ahşap malzeme ile kaplandığından detaylarına ulaşılamamaktadır. Ahşap çatıda ve tavan kaplamasında oluşan hasarlar nedeniyle nem problemi yaşayan yapı ile ilgili, tarihi belgelere dayalı bilgi ve değerlendirme eksikleri bulunmaktadır. Bu makale, arşiv belgelerine dayanarak, daha kapsamlı araştırmalar çerçevesinde, Vezirhan Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Camine ilişkin mimari ve tarihî bulguları ve bunlara dayanan restitüsyon önerisini literatüre kazandırmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Article Details

Documentation in architectural conservation: Bilecik-Vezirhan Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque restıtutıon proposal

Authors:

Mehmet Fatih Aydın | Ebru Ulaş Sarıaydın

Publisher:

Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University

Main Topics:

Kent Tarihi | İslam Tarihi ve Medeniyeti

Journal:

Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 3, pp.1787-1805

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359038

pISSN:

2149-3871

Cultural heritage

Conservation

Documentation

Restitution

Mosque.Kültürel Miras

Koruma

Belgeleme

Restitüsyon

Cami.

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Mehmet Fatih Aydın | Ebru Ulaş Sarıaydın

Publisher: Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University

Main Topics: Kent Tarihi | İslam Tarihi ve Medeniyeti

Journal: Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 3, pp.1787-1805

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001359038

pISSN: 2149-3871

Issues

Authors:

Mehmet Fatih Aydın | Ebru Ulaş Sarıaydın

Publisher:

Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University

Main Topics:

Kent Tarihi | İslam Tarihi ve Medeniyeti

Journal:

Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 3, pp.1787-1805

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359038

pISSN:

2149-3871