Oil Mosque and Kulliye

Yağ  (oil) Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Adana. It was a crusader church and was converted into a mosque in 1501 during the reign of Ramazanoğlu Halil Bey, and a madrasah was added to the building in 1558. The church section is the long, thin section in the eastern part of today's mosque, and the western wall of this place was demolished and combined with the mosque. The minaret of the oil mosque was built in 1525. Yağ Mosque is a mosque with many columns and a large narthex, which is seen in Anatolia, and has the characteristics of a "great mosque". The hot climate of the region also has an effect on this.

Another feature of the Yağ Mosque is that it has a horizontal and transverse architecture, which is a characteristic of Seljuk architecture. The reason for this is that, according to the Islamic belief, the reward of praying in the front row is very great. By keeping the width of the mosque wide, it was ensured that the first row was large. The low columns in the mosque create a dim atmosphere.

The most must-see structure of the Yağ Mosque is the 8.5-meter-high portal, which, contrary to the general plain atmosphere of the mosque, is quite ostentatious and bears Seljuk traces.

The Legend of Yağ Mosque

The name of Yag Mosque in Evliya Çelebi's Travel Book is Old Mosque. However, there are two explanations for the later name Yağ Mosque. Yağ means oil in Turkish.

After the St. Jean Cathedral was converted into a mosque, the cistern of this place remained under the ground for more than 500 years, and in the following period, the people of Adana while going to the highlandand kept their winter food here used this area as an oil storage. Because of this old oil reservoir, which is used as a fountain today, it is called the Yağ Mosque.

According to a second narrative, it is called the Yağ Mosque because of the oil market set up in front of the mosque.

Yağ Mosque Madrasa

The madrasa built by Piri Pasha in the courtyard of the mosque in 1558; consists of classroom, dining hall, dormitory, kitchen and other parts. The classroom part has a square plan and the wooden reliefs under the eaves are worth seeing. Since the rooms in the eastern part were used as shops, they lost their architectural features. However, these places were made architecturally compatible with other parts of the building by adding doors and windows in the last restoration.

Where is Yağ Mosque? Directions Information. How to Get to the Mosque?

Yağ Mosque is located in a very central location in the southern part of the city known as Old Adana. Almost all public transportation vehicles pass near Yag Mosque on Ali Münif Street. It is also in a location that can be reached in a short time by public transport or taxi from Adana Şakirpaşa Airport and Adana Bus Station. It is the most suitable starting point for visiting the historical places of the city known as the old Adana. Because from here, Adana's historical and culturally important points are within walking distance of each other.

Places to be seen around Yağ Cami:

Since Yağ cami is located in the old town  of Adana, there are many historical and touristic spots nearby. Starting from here all can be visited respectively with Kazancılar Bazaar, Adana Clock Tower, Ramazanoğlu Mansion, Ziyapaşa Park, Ulu Mosque, Girls High School, Taşköprü, Cinema Museum, Atatürk Museum, Tepebağ Houses, Sabancı Central Mosque, and Adana Merkez Park on foot. Visiting these places ​​in a suitable weather will be a pleasant walk that takes tourists to the past.