Nalbantoğlu Mosque

It is known that this mosque was built as a masjid in 1429 during the reign of Sultan Murad II (1421-1451) by Nalbantbashi, the master blacksmith. Adding a “minber”, or pulpit, to this masjid in 1777, it was converted into a mosque.

This mosque is built using hewn stones and brick materials. Its main prayer hall, together with its portico for latecomers, is built with a rectangular ground plan. Its dome sits on an octagonal tambour. The dome is lead-plated. The mosque’s main prayer hall is built with a square plan measuring 8.00 x 8.00 m, and is covered with a single dome. The entrance of this mosque is salient due to its gable wall, an element frequently seen with Bursa masjids. The entrance door of the main hall has a marble door case, and arches. There is a marble epitaph board, on which the words “Ayet-i Kerime” are written.

The structure’s portico for latecomers has three sections, with narrow and “Bursa” arches in the centre, and connected to each other with broad pointed arches at the sides. This portico’s centre and its sides are covered with barrel vaults and with mirror vaults, respectively. Furthermore, the arch spans in this portico are closed by means of a marble guard rail, and timber materials.

Both the balcony of its minaret located in the structure’s north-eastern wall is striking due to its brickwork, the five rows of stalactite work and its dodecagonal ring decorated with geometric ornaments. Under its balcony, there are four rows of sawtooth eaves. Its spire is lead-plated.

This mosque was renovated various times, for the last time in 1957 by “Bursa Ancient Artwork Lovers’ Society”, and then opened for worshipping.

The neighbourhood is named after this mosque. It still is called “Nalbantoğlu” today.