Restoration Works at Yolgeçen Mosque and Fountain are Completed

Yolgeçen Mosque and the historic fountain next to the mosque were rejuvenated with restoration and reopened to worshippers. Following landscaping and repair of the fountain the structure was presented to service of our citizens.

Yolgeçen Mosque was constructed by Director of Imperial Land Registry (Defterhâne-i Âmire) Ömer Effendi in 1554 and registered to Ömer Effendi Holy Mosque Endowment. The mosque that was neglected over time and abandoned was repaired by Director of Imperial Land Registry (Defterhâne-i Âmire) Yahya Effendi whereby it started to become known as Yahya Effendi Mosque.

The mosque that was again devastated due to earthquakes and fires in the 18th Century was reconstructed in 1801 upon will of Dame Hümaşah who was food taster of Queen Mother Mihrişah Sultan, mother of Sultan Selim the III. The mosque became unusable during the Aksaray fire that took place one century later and remained unserviceable, abandoned for destruction. Repair and renovation works at the mosque started by a philanthropist in 2022 with a protocol signed with Directorate General of Foundations.

The landscaping, wet ground and flooring works required for restoration of the mosque were completed by our Municipality in 2024. Repair of the fountain that is considered to be built simultaneously with the mosque was conducted in this scope.

The fountain has a reservoir and a pointed arch, and its front façade is made of cut stone while its sides are made of alternating stone and brick. Plant growth and contamination on the façade were cleaned by mechanical methods and low-quality cement-based interventions were removed. Losses on the stone surfaces due to time were repaired with the plastic repair technique and covered with vaulted covering stone. The fountain’s clean and waste water installations were renewed and the fountain was restored to water.

Yolgeçen Mosque (Yahya Effendi Mosque) and fountain are renovated after almost one century and presented to the public for worshipping.