Kemeraltı Cami

Hidden beauty that no one sees despite the crowd around it

It is a historical mosque. It is in the center of Adana. The cleanliness of the mosque alone is zero. The carpets in the entrance are stained with dirt. It is really sad. The mosque is not cleaned at all. Those carpets are really dirty.

Kemeraltı Mosque is located in the area called "Tarsus Gate", at the corner of Küçük Saat Square, at the intersection of Abidin Paşa Street with Özler Street. The district, which was previously known as the "Tarsus Gate", was later named "Kemeraltı", so the mosque took the same name. The construction date of the work, which was commissioned by a philanthropist named Savcıoğlu Hacı Mustafa in 1548, coincides with the time of Ramazanoğlu Piri Pasha's emirate. Although it is said that there was a madrasah next to the mosque at the time it was built, there is not even the slightest trace of the madrasah today. The inscription of the madrasah has been preserved in Adana Museum. Kemeraltı Mosque, which is a modest structure in terms of general features, was made of cut stone on a square plan. Small domes cover the narthex places on the north and east facades. The minaret in the northeast corner has an appearance suitable for the modest structure of the mosque. Its mihrab, minaret and especially the window arrangement on the western façade reflect the traces of classical Ottoman architecture. The large muqarnas embroidery on the western façade is one of the most interesting features of the mosque façades. The entire mihrab has a very eye-catching appearance with the muqarnas fountain covering the polygonal mihrab niche, the embossed rosettes and cypress motifs on both sides of the stepped niche arch, and the dendan order crowning the mihrab frame. The absence of colonnades at the corners of the mihrab niche is a striking feature. The building has survived to the present day in a very good condition, but the original texture in its immediate surroundings has completely disappeared. The decorations that should have been inside the mosque, unfortunately, have not survived until today.

Kemeraltı Mosque is a place of worship in Adana's Seyhan district. It is also known as Savcıoğlu or Savcızade Mosque with the name of the builder and Tarsuskapı Mosque due to its location. The mosque was built in 1548 by Savcıoğlu Hacı Mustafa during the period of Ramazanoğulları Principality. The square planned building has a single minaret in the northeast corner.