A Seljuk Architectural Masterpiece: Yivli Minaret Mosgue

Antalya is generally known as a rainy city during the winter months. However, with changing climate conditions, a noticeable decrease in rainfall and an increase in sunny days have become evident. While the extremely humid and oppressive heat of summer makes it difficult to explore the city comfortably, winter has now become a major advantage for discovering Antalya.

Today, I am spending my time visiting Yivli Minaret, located in the historic Kaleiçi district in the center of Antalya. The minaret was commissioned by the Seljuk ruler Alaeddin Keykubad I between 1220 and 1237. Whether I see Yivli Minaret during the day or at night, it always evokes the same sense of admiration.

When viewed from Republic Square, the minaret immediately draws attention as it rises among shades of blue and green, wrapped in soft-toned orange bricks. This scene helps us understand why Yivli Minaret appears so frequently on Antalya’s postcards, local business logos, and tourism promotions. 

The “yivli,” or fluted, structure of the minaret is its most distinctive feature. Its body is formed by eight semi-cylindrical flutes, giving the structure an elegant, refined, and graceful appearance. Yivli Minaret is not only one of the earliest examples of fluted minarets in Anatolia, but also one of the most important symbols of 13th-century Seljuk architecture.

The body of the minaret is built of red brick, while its base is constructed from cut stone. Standing approximately 38 meters tall, the structure was originally adorned with turquoise faience tiles placed between the bricks to add visual richness and harmony.

According to a local legend, these turquoise tiles shimmered differently under sunlight and moonlight. Some sailors are even said to have used Yivli Minaret as a beacon for navigation, much like a lighthouse. Captivated by its beauty, people came to believe that turquoise brought abundance, wealth, and good fortune. Legend has it that thieves, thinking the tiles were more valuable than gold, stole them away. From that day on, it is said that the minaret lost its glow and never regained its former brilliance. Click here for detailed mosque information.

Yivli Minaret Mosque has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2016. The Yivli Minaret Complex also includes the Atabey Armağan Madrasa, Ulucami Madrasa, Mevlevihane (Dervish Lodge), Yivli Minaret Bath, Nigar Hatun Mausoleum, and Zincir Kıran Mehmet Bey Mausoleum. Click here to go to the Yivli Minaret Mosque.