Kefeli Mosque: Difference between revisions
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The '''Kefeli Mosque''' ([[Turkish Language|Turkish]]: ''Kefeli Camii'', meaning "the mosque of the Caffariotes", after the inhabitants of the city of [[Caffa]] in [[Crimea]], or also ''Kefeli Mescidi'', where ''Mescit'' is the Turkish word for a small mosque) is a former [[Eastern Orthodox]] church, later jointly officiated by [[Roman Catholic]]s and [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian]]s, and finally converted into a [[mosque]] by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]]. The Catholic church was dedicated to [[Saint Nicholas]]. Its date of dedication as Eastern Orthodox church is unknown. The interest of Kefeli Mosque arises because it reproposes the early Christian [[Basilica]] form during the later [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] period. <ref>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> |
The '''Kefeli Mosque''' ([[Turkish Language|Turkish]]: ''Kefeli Camii'', meaning "the mosque of the Caffariotes", after the inhabitants of the city of [[Caffa]] in [[Crimea]], or also ''Kefeli Mescidi'', where ''Mescit'' is the Turkish word for a small mosque) is a former [[Eastern Orthodox]] church, later jointly officiated by [[Roman Catholic]]s and [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian]]s, and finally converted into a [[mosque]] by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]]. The Catholic church was dedicated to [[Saint Nicholas]]. Its date of dedication as Eastern Orthodox church is unknown. The interest of Kefeli Mosque arises because it reproposes the early Christian [[Basilica]] form during the later [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] period. <ref name=mat190>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> |
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==Location== |
==Location== |
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The origin of this building, which lies on the slope of the sixth hill of [[Constantinople]], is not certain. The tradition says that in the ninth century Manuel, ''[[Admiral|Drungarius]]'' in the wars against the [[Saracen]]s during the reign of [[Byzantine Emperor|Emperor]] [[Theophilos (emperor)|Teophilos]], built a [[monastery]] converting his house, which lied near the [[cistern]] of [[Aspar]].<ref>Van Millingen, p. 254.</ref> He was the uncle of Empress [[Theodora (9th century)|Theodora]], wife of the Theofilos, and before retiring in his monastery he was one of the three counselors which assisted the Empress after the death of her husband and the minority of [[Michael III]]. |
The origin of this building, which lies on the slope of the sixth hill of [[Constantinople]], is not certain. The tradition says that in the ninth century Manuel, ''[[Admiral|Drungarius]]'' in the wars against the [[Saracen]]s during the reign of [[Byzantine Emperor|Emperor]] [[Theophilos (emperor)|Teophilos]], built a [[monastery]] converting his house, which lied near the [[cistern]] of [[Aspar]].<ref>Van Millingen, p. 254.</ref> He was the uncle of Empress [[Theodora (9th century)|Theodora]], wife of the Theofilos, and before retiring in his monastery he was one of the three counselors which assisted the Empress after the death of her husband and the minority of [[Michael III]]. |
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The monastery was rebuilt by Patriarch [[Photius]], and was restored again by Usurper [[Romanos I]] Lekapenos. Emperor [[Michael VII]] retired here after his deposition.<ref>Van Millingen, p. 257.</ref> All these events shows the importance of this monastery in Constantinople. Anyway, the attribution of this building to the complex founded by Manuel is far from certain, and has been denied by the newest research.<ref>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> |
The monastery was rebuilt by Patriarch [[Photius]], and was restored again by Usurper [[Romanos I]] Lekapenos. Emperor [[Michael VII]] retired here after his deposition.<ref>Van Millingen, p. 257.</ref> All these events shows the importance of this monastery in Constantinople. Anyway, the attribution of this building to the complex founded by Manuel is far from certain, and has been denied by the newest research.<ref name=mat190>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> |
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The documented history of the edifice begins in 1475, shortly after the [[Fall of Constantinople]], when the [[ottoman empire|ottoman]]s conquered the [[Genoa|genoese]] colony of [[Caffa]], in [[Crimea]]. All the [[Latin Europe|Latin]], [[Greeks|Greek]] and [[Jewish]] inhabitants who lived in Caffa ("Caffariotes" or, in [[Turkish Language|Turkish]], ''kefeli'') were then deported to Istanbul and relocated to this quarter. The Latins, mainly [[Genoese]], were authorized to use this building as a church together with the [[Armenian People|Armenian]]s.<ref>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> The church was dedicated to [[Saint Nicholas]] and officiated by the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]]. In 1630, under the kingdom of [[Murat IV]] (1623-1640), the church was converted into a ''mescit'' (a small mosque), but maintained the name of Kefeli. |
The documented history of the edifice begins in 1475, shortly after the [[Fall of Constantinople]], when the [[ottoman empire|ottoman]]s conquered the [[Genoa|genoese]] colony of [[Caffa]], in [[Crimea]]. All the [[Latin Europe|Latin]], [[Greeks|Greek]] and [[Jewish]] inhabitants who lived in Caffa ("Caffariotes" or, in [[Turkish Language|Turkish]], ''kefeli'') were then deported to Istanbul and relocated to this quarter. The Latins, mainly [[Genoese]], were authorized to use this building as a church together with the [[Armenian People|Armenian]]s.<ref name=mat190>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> The church was dedicated to [[Saint Nicholas]] and officiated by the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]]. In 1630, under the kingdom of [[Murat IV]] (1623-1640), the church was converted into a ''mescit'' (a small mosque), but maintained the name of Kefeli. |
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==Architecture== |
==Architecture== |
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[[Image:KefeliMescidi20070603 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Apse of the Mosque with the [[Minaret]] seen from the north. From here, the alternate courses of bricks and stone are clearly visible.]] |
[[Image:KefeliMescidi20070603 2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Apse of the Mosque with the [[Minaret]] seen from the north. From here, the alternate courses of bricks and stone are clearly visible.]] |
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The building is a large hall, 22.6 meter long by 7.22 wide,<ref>Van Millingen, p. 258.</ref> and is oriented in North-South direction, which is quite uncommon among the byzantine churches in [[Constantinople]]. Its [[masonry]] consists of alternate courses of [[brick]]s and stones. The original building had a triple-[[nave]] plan, but the only remains of the side [[aisle]]s belong to the end wall of the western one.<ref>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> To the north side there is an arch and a semicircular [[apse]] made of bricks, which outside has a polygonal shape. The walls of the apse are indented by two [[niche]]s. The main aisle has walls which are lighted by two ranges of windows, which are irregularly spaced. The southern wall is also lighted by two ranges of windows. The lower windows are much larger than the higher. The entrance is situated in the middle of the western wall. Under the western side there is a cistern, whose roof rests on three [[column]]s.<ref>Van Millingen, p. 258.</ref> |
The building is a large hall, 22.6 meter long by 7.22 wide,<ref name=mil258>Van Millingen, p. 258.</ref> and is oriented in North-South direction, which is quite uncommon among the byzantine churches in [[Constantinople]]. Its [[masonry]] consists of alternate courses of [[brick]]s and stones. The original building had a triple-[[nave]] plan, but the only remains of the side [[aisle]]s belong to the end wall of the western one.<ref name=mat190>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> To the north side there is an arch and a semicircular [[apse]] made of bricks, which outside has a polygonal shape. The walls of the apse are indented by two [[niche]]s. The main aisle has walls which are lighted by two ranges of windows, which are irregularly spaced. The southern wall is also lighted by two ranges of windows. The lower windows are much larger than the higher. The entrance is situated in the middle of the western wall. Under the western side there is a cistern, whose roof rests on three [[column]]s.<ref name=mil258>Van Millingen, p. 258.</ref> |
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The dating of the edifice is uncertain. The polygonal apse and the niches in the apse are typical of the churches of [[Palaiologos|palaiologan]] foundation.<ref>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> The building is architecturally interesting because it is an example of reproposition of the early Christian [[Basilica]] form during the later [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] period.<ref>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> |
The dating of the edifice is uncertain. The polygonal apse and the niches in the apse are typical of the churches of [[Palaiologos|palaiologan]] foundation.<ref name=mat190>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> The building is architecturally interesting because it is an example of reproposition of the early Christian [[Basilica]] form during the later [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] period.<ref name=mat190>Mathews, p. 190.</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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{{commonscat|Kefeli Mescidi}} |
{{commonscat|Kefeli Mescidi}} |
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Revision as of 10:53, 7 September 2007
41°1′46″N 28°56′30″E / 41.02944°N 28.94167°E
The Kefeli Mosque (Turkish: Kefeli Camii, meaning "the mosque of the Caffariotes", after the inhabitants of the city of Caffa in Crimea, or also Kefeli Mescidi, where Mescit is the Turkish word for a small mosque) is a former Eastern Orthodox church, later jointly officiated by Roman Catholics and Armenians, and finally converted into a mosque by the Ottomans. The Catholic church was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Its date of dedication as Eastern Orthodox church is unknown. The interest of Kefeli Mosque arises because it reproposes the early Christian Basilica form during the later Byzantine period. [1]
Location
The building lies in Istanbul, in the district of Fatih, in the neighborhood of Salmatomruk, more or less halfway between the museum of Chora and the mosque of Fethiye.
History
The origin of this building, which lies on the slope of the sixth hill of Constantinople, is not certain. The tradition says that in the ninth century Manuel, Drungarius in the wars against the Saracens during the reign of Emperor Teophilos, built a monastery converting his house, which lied near the cistern of Aspar.[2] He was the uncle of Empress Theodora, wife of the Theofilos, and before retiring in his monastery he was one of the three counselors which assisted the Empress after the death of her husband and the minority of Michael III.
The monastery was rebuilt by Patriarch Photius, and was restored again by Usurper Romanos I Lekapenos. Emperor Michael VII retired here after his deposition.[3] All these events shows the importance of this monastery in Constantinople. Anyway, the attribution of this building to the complex founded by Manuel is far from certain, and has been denied by the newest research.[1]
The documented history of the edifice begins in 1475, shortly after the Fall of Constantinople, when the ottomans conquered the genoese colony of Caffa, in Crimea. All the Latin, Greek and Jewish inhabitants who lived in Caffa ("Caffariotes" or, in Turkish, kefeli) were then deported to Istanbul and relocated to this quarter. The Latins, mainly Genoese, were authorized to use this building as a church together with the Armenians.[1] The church was dedicated to Saint Nicholas and officiated by the Dominicans. In 1630, under the kingdom of Murat IV (1623-1640), the church was converted into a mescit (a small mosque), but maintained the name of Kefeli.
Architecture
The building is a large hall, 22.6 meter long by 7.22 wide,[4] and is oriented in North-South direction, which is quite uncommon among the byzantine churches in Constantinople. Its masonry consists of alternate courses of bricks and stones. The original building had a triple-nave plan, but the only remains of the side aisles belong to the end wall of the western one.[1] To the north side there is an arch and a semicircular apse made of bricks, which outside has a polygonal shape. The walls of the apse are indented by two niches. The main aisle has walls which are lighted by two ranges of windows, which are irregularly spaced. The southern wall is also lighted by two ranges of windows. The lower windows are much larger than the higher. The entrance is situated in the middle of the western wall. Under the western side there is a cistern, whose roof rests on three columns.[4]
The dating of the edifice is uncertain. The polygonal apse and the niches in the apse are typical of the churches of palaiologan foundation.[1] The building is architecturally interesting because it is an example of reproposition of the early Christian Basilica form during the later Byzantine period.[1]
References
Sources
- Van Millingen, Alexander (1912). Byzantine Churches of Constantinople. London: MacMillan & Co.
- Mathews, Thomas F. (1976). The Byzantine Churches of Istanbul: A Photographic Survey. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 0-271-01210-2.
- Gülersoy, Celik (1976). A guide to Istanbul. Istanbul: Kitapligi. OCLC 3849706.