Murad I, The Sovereign Mosque

This mosque, which is the central structure of the “Hudavendigar Kulliye” complex, was built in 1366 by Murad I, called “Hudavendigar”, or “The Sovereign”, (1362-1389). 

The structure, which is one of those mosques (with guestrooms and prayer sections), and with has a “⊥” shaped plan, is the only structure within Ottoman architecture designed as a two-floor building, including both a mosque and a madrasah in the same building.

In this structure, which strikes attention with its stone and brick decorations and its pointed arches, columns and capitals of the Byzantine period are used. It is known that craftsmen from Byzantium were also involved in its construction.

The ground floor consists of a portico for latecomers, outer hall a central area, which is covered with a single dome, vaulted iwans, and of six rooms. Its shadirwan, or ablution fountain, built in the 19th century is located in the middle of the central area. 

In the madrasah, which is accessed by staircases located on both sides of the stair head in the entrance of the mosque, there are four cells for the “muderris”, or madrasah teachers, and the “muid”, or deputy madrasah teacher, as well as twelve disciple cells Well-known persons such as Molla Gurani, Zenbilli Ali Efendi, and Tacizade Cafer Çelebi, were teachers in this madrasah, who also performed the duty of “Sheikh ul-lslam” (the chief religious official in the Ottoman Empire).

Located in the site which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.