A Study on the Excavation, Planning, Restoration, and Utilization of Horhor Mosque in Old Van City

Horhor Mosque is located in the western section of the Old Van City. To the west of the structure lie the Horhor Gardens and the Yalı (İskele) Gate, while the Abbas Agha Mosque is situated to the east, and the steep cliffs of the historic Van Castle enclose the site to the north. Access to the mosque is provided through a single-winged door at the northern corner of the eastern façade. The interior of the mosque has a rectangular layout measuring 9.40 × 17.50 meters, extending in an east-west direction, and is covered with a flat roof. The illumination of the interior is ensured by a total of 18 rectangular windows with metal railings: four lower and four upper on the southern wall, four upper on the northern wall, two upper on the western wall, and two lower and two upper on the eastern wall. In the center of the interior, along the east-west axis, three pointed arches rest on two piers. The mosque's externally protruding, ornamented mihrab is a particularly striking decorative element. The load-bearing walls, approximately 1.30 meters thick, are constructed of sequential rubble stone, while cut stone is used for the door, windows, arches, mihrab, seating platforms, and eaves. Built in accordance with the characteristics of traditional Van civil architecture, the mosque differentiates itself from the other eight mosques in Old Van City with its flat roof, wooden mezzanine seating gallery, and uniquely designed stone-built shoe storage sections. Constructed in the 18th century as a religious architectural structure, the mosque remained in service until 1915. Following the destruction caused by the Russian-Armenian occupation between 1915 and 1918, the building was left abandoned until 2010. Scientific excavation and conservation projects were initiated by the Van Governorship in 2011, and the restoration of the mosque was carried out between 2012 and 2013 under the supervision of the Bitlis Regional Directorate of Foundations. The mosque was reopened for worship on July 12, 2013, after 98 years, with the first Friday prayer held during the opening ceremony. Since its reopening, Horhor Mosque has attracted numerous local and international visitors, contributing significantly to the cultural tourism of the region.