Description of the attraction
The Aslankhane Mosque in Ankara is an old mosque, which is distinguished by its unusual architecture and structural strength. The mosque has many names among the people, but most often it is called the Lion House, since on the wall that adjoins the mosque and belongs to the burial complex, there are statues of lions. It is located near the Hisar fortress. It was built by the Seljuks in the 18th century on the territory of a former Roman cathedral.
All the buildings of the Seljuks are of interest to modern historians and scientists, since they were distinguished not only by the visual beauty and harmony of architecture, but also by their extraordinary strength, which helps to resist the times. The main builder of the mosque was Ahi Sherafeddin, the head of the religious brotherhood of Ahi. The mosque is often called after him, and opposite the temple is his mausoleum. During the construction, architectural details were used, especially in the design of the supporting structure, which are characteristic of the Roman and Byzantine eras, as well as building materials from the ruins of former temples, for example, white marble in the decor of the gate. The Seljuk origin of the mosque is confirmed by the presence of a classic mihrab with fine enamel wall decor. Also inside there is a minbar, finished with walnut carvings.
The mosque has a distinctive feature - a vault, reliably resting on twenty-four columns, decorated with wood carvings, creating an extraordinary impression of the interior. The mosque has a large number of different niches decorated with carvings. Due to the abundant wood decoration, the mosque is also called the Forest Mosque. The temple is also notable for the fact that it has preserved the old abode of the dervishes, which is called the tekke. Previously, the minarets of the mosque were decorated with blue tiles, as evidenced by the surviving wall fragments. Thanks to this decorative element, one can imagine how grandiose the mosque was in ancient times.
