Erzurum Caferiye Mosque and Its Calligraphies

Islamic calligraphy, an important part of the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Islamic civilization, has not only conveyed the content of the text but also served to convey messages with deep meaning to its addressee through an aesthetic language. Islamic calligraphy, which is used in a wide range of areas such as Mushafs, plates and architectural works, has also gained a unique place in Turkish-Islamic architecture. More than just being a decorative element, calligraphy has strengthened the spiritual dimension of the architectural structure by giving meaning and identity to the space where it is written. Especially in mosques, calligraphy, which decorates the walls and domes, has created a visual place of worship that invites to worship, as well as contributing to the creation of a peaceful and profound atmosphere that appeals to the inner worlds of the worshippers. This function of calligraphy shows that in Islamic art, writing and architecture are intertwined and complement each other. In this way, religious and cultural values are expressed in an aesthetic way. Erzurum Caferiye Mosque, an Ottoman work dating back to the 17th century, is one of the mosques that houses remarkable examples of calligraphy art. Caferiye Mosque, built by Cafer Efendi in 1648, is a typical example of Ottoman architecture. The main dome of the mosque is supported by four half domes and its minaret has one balcony. Although there are studies on the mosque’s architecture and restoration, no comprehensive research has been done on the mosque’s calligraphies. In this study, the construction inscription in the mosque, the minbar-mihrab calligraphies, the calligraphies on the dome and window pediments were examined in detail in terms of Islamic calligraphy art.