Izzet Pasha Mosque is a twin-minaret structure in central Elazığ opened in 1972. It is famous for featuring Turkey's first minaret with an elevator and hosting a vibrant Jewelers' Bazaar on its ground floor.
Izzet Pasha Mosque stands in the bazaar center of Elazığ, directly opposite the old government house. It takes its name from Hacı Ahmet Izzet Pasha, the governor of the era who purchased the plot in 1866 and built a mudbrick mosque here. The original structure served for nearly a century before showing signs of collapse. In 1967, it was demolished and rebuilt through the efforts of an association established in 1966 and contributions from the people of Elazığ. The present-day mosque opened for worship in 1972.
Built in the Ottoman architectural style, the 44x28.5-meter building features twin minarets with double balconies (şerefe). One of the minarets marks a historical first: Turkey's first minaret equipped with an elevator is located here. The main dome measures 20 meters in diameter, surrounded by 25 smaller domes. The minarets rise 55 meters above ground level, and the exterior facade is clad in fine ashlar stone. The mosque's basement also houses shops, a funeral preparation room, and bath facilities, making the structure a functional piece of the market rather than just a place of worship.
On the ground floor, arcades, jewelry shops, and currency exchange booths form what is locally known as the Jewelers' Bazaar. For the residents of Elazığ, the mosque is a focal point of daily life even outside prayer hours. Visitor reviews frequently highlight the mosque's impressive size and central location, with guests praising its spacious feel and peaceful spiritual atmosphere.
Related explorations: Üryan Baba Tomb, Demirkapı Han, Ağa Mosque (Harput).
History
The original mosque was constructed out of mudbrick in 1866 by Hacı Ahmet Izzet Pasha, the governor of the region at the time. After serving for nearly a century, the structure faced risk of collapse. A local association was established in 1966, and reconstruction began in 1967 with financial support from the people of Elazığ. The present mosque was opened for worship in 1972.
Architectural Features
Built in the classical Ottoman architectural style, the complex features twin minarets with double balconies. One minaret stands out as a nationwide first: a minaret equipped with an interior elevator. A central dome measuring 20 meters in diameter is surrounded by 25 smaller domes, and the minarets reach a height of 55 meters from the ground. The mosque courtyard also includes an ablution fountain (şadırvan) with a water capacity of 40 tons.
How to Get There
The mosque is located in the heart of the city, directly across from the old government house. Public transit access is convenient: bus routes 1, 3, 6, 7 and E-3/E-4 pass right by. The İzzetpaşa bus stop is virtually adjacent, just a 1-minute walk away. The Yeni Camii stop is a 3-minute walk and the Vali Fahri Bey stop is 5 minutes away.
The Surrounding Jewelers' Bazaar
The ground floor of the mosque houses commercial passages known as the Jewelers' Bazaar (Kuyumcular Çarşısı), gathering numerous jewelry stores and currency exchange offices. This makes the building a daily destination for Elazığ locals for both prayer and shopping. Browsing this area gives visitors a clear view of how integrated the mosque is into local urban life.
Visit Duration
Exploring the interior and courtyard of the mosque takes around 20-30 minutes. If you wish to browse the Jewelers' Bazaar on the ground floor, plan for up to 40 minutes in total. If you are on a one-day itinerary in Elazığ, the central location allows for easy pairing with other city highlights.
Visitor Tips & Etiquette
The mosque is an active place of worship. Sightseeing is best done outside of congregational prayer times. Entrance is free for everyone. Visitors frequently comment on the grand scale and serene spiritual atmosphere of the building, especially noting how remarkable it is to find a mosque of this size right in the middle of the city center.
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