Historical Painter Ahmet Yakupoğlu Tiled Mosque (1973 - Kütahya Tile Art and Central Asian Architectural Heritage)

History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore Tiled Mosque, whose architectural design, plans and decorations were personally undertaken by the late Ahmet Yakupoğlu (1920-2016), a world-famous ney player, miniaturist and painter from Kütahya, was built in Maltepe District in 1973. The building, which carries the tile art, which is the symbol of Kütahya, to its peak with its identity as a modern temple, is considered one of the symbolic monuments of Central Asian Turkish-Islamic architecture. Architectural / Natural Structure and Details The mosque rises on an octagonal plan scheme; It is unique in Türkiye as its entire exterior is covered with handmade Kütahya tiles in shades of blue, cobalt and turquoise. The exterior decorations were inspired by the Timurid architecture of Samarkand and Bukhara. The fine pencil minaret and the geometric Kufic inscriptions on the dome drum and the elegant hand-drawn paintings in the interior are the work of Yakupoğlu. Spiritual Visiting Etiquette and Commemoration Guidelines The refraction of sunlight on the tiles gives the structure a fairy-tale glow at all hours of the day. Visiting this sacred place, which reflects the spirit of Kütahya's half-millennium-old tile heritage, allows visitors to experience the peaceful depth of traditional Turkish decorative arts. Practical Visiting Tips & Transportation / Check-in It is located in the city center of Kütahya, on the hills of Dumlupınar University and Maltepe. It can be easily reached from the city center in 5-10 minutes by public buses, minibuses or by car. It is open every day of the week for daily prayers and tourist visits; entrance is free. Surrounding Routes & Local Gastronomy Discovery It creates a perfect route with the historical Kütahya Castle, Dönenler Mevlevi Lodge, Ulu Mosque and Tile Bazaar. After the visit, you should definitely try the famous borek soup, Kütahya kebab in casserole and tahini pita delicacies in the center of Kütahya. • Address / Open Location: Historical Painter Ahmet Yakupoğlu Tiled Mosque (1973 - Kütahya Tile Art and Central Asian Architectural Heritage) Location, Center, Kütahya, Türkiye