Sivas – Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi

Date of Inscription to the World Heritage List: 6.12.1985 
List Reference: 358 Criteria: Cultural

The first Turkish building inscribed to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi was built in the 13th century by Ahmed Shah and his wife Melike Turan of the Principality of Mengucek. Designed by the architect Hurrem Shah, of Ahlat, in 1288, the Great Mosque of Divrigi is renowned for Its monumental architecture, its hexagonal dome, and its unique stone carving decorations.

The Great Mosque and Hospital has a plain fagade. Its status as a unique masterpiece rests on the merits of the stone carving decorations that adorn the great portal of the Hospital, the northern portal of the Mosque, the western portal of the Mosque and the portal of Shah’s dais. Each and every figure In the decoration is a unique marvel of art and architecture, as well as a feat of engineering.

Art historians and architects agree that there are no other examples of the three dimensional and Intricate geometric styles and flowing figures of plants.

Its portals appear to have borrowed from Baroque, Seljuk and Gothic styles, but nevertheless represent a unique and distinct style of their own. All figures carved on the portals and on the walls were asymmetrical and each square has thousands of stone carved figures. The main characteristic of the designs featured In the portals is their uniqueness: each is distinct from other decorations. For example, the wreath of life used on the portal on the North fagade Is noteworthy since It depicts a totally imaginary plant world that only existed in the imagination of the craftsman.
As well as portals, all bases, shafts and capitals of the columns, and the Inner surface of the dome, were decorated a different, distinct and unique style.

The Hospital, situated next to the Great Mosque Is, In itself, a masterpiece of stone carving. It shares the splendid unity of the Great Mosque. The Hospital Is a two-storey building with a central courtyard surrounded by porticoes, and designed as a hospital where cures included the soothing sound of flowing water from the fountains.

This exciting stone masterpiece shaped with love is waiting for Its visitors.