Discovering Talas: Yaman Dede Church/Mosque

Last time we explored the Talas American College together. Today, we will look at another unmissable Talas feature: Yaman Dede Church Mosque (also called Greek Panaya Church or Talas New Mosque).
First of all you are probably asking: how can a church be a mosque, and vice versa? Hopefully the following lines will give you a clue…

The structure was built during the era of Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1886 as a Greek church. Its original name was Panaya and the city quarter was called Tablakaya back then. At that time, many Armenians and other Christians inhabited the area. In 1925, after the population exchange when Turkey lost most of its Christian inhabitants, it was altered to a mosque. There were also years when the building was closed due to lack of care, left empty and ruined. Today, after a renovation, it serves as a place or worship again.

By the way, Yaman Dede, after whom the mosque is named, was a famous Kayseri citizen. Born probably in 1887, he was son of a trader, studied in Istanbul and became a lawyer. Although brought up as an Orthodox Christian, he adopted Islam in 1942 at the age of 55, and changed his name. After that, he was forced to leave his house and family. Later on, he became famous for writing poems. He died in 1962.

The architecture of the mosque is pretty spectacular. The original church was built in the shape of a cross, and its dome, supported by four pillars, is very impressive. It is also very nicely lighted at night.

Maybe you will be more successful than us and someone will let you inside – unfortunately, we did not meet a single soul during our visit. But the place is worth it anyway, you can take many pictures from all sides and also pictures of the view! If that is not satisfying enough, you can find fabulous 360° pictures of the interior on the internet.

We entered from the street through a monumental arch door. Unfortunately, we were able to reach only the courtyard, as the mosque entrance door was locked. Anyway even if you are unable to enter the building, you can still take a look inside through the small windows. The interior actually seemed a bit less impressive than the exterior. Obviously there is a gallery up in the dome. Walls are decorated with some historical frescoes, and there are about three massive chandeliers.