Giresun's mosque heritage also tells the province's history: it begins in the Seljuk period, reaches the classical Ottoman era, and from there to 19th-century stonework. Below I have listed them by period.
Behramşah Mosque · Şebinkarahisar
By its construction date, Giresun's oldest mosque. Built by the Mengujeks in the Seljuk period; it is considered one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia.
The original stones still stand in its arches, the rest covered over time with paint and plaster. A modest structure but with a very deep history. It is passed on the road to the Meryem Ana Monastery.
Şebinkarahisar Fatih Mosque
According to the sources, its construction began after Mehmed the Conqueror's 1473 victory at Otlukbeli and was completed in five years. It was originally wooden, burned twice, and was rebuilt in stone; the present structure was built in 1888 by Rasih and Mahmut Pasha.
The domes that collapsed in the 1939 earthquake were repaired in 1950. The most interesting detail: the column capitals were most probably brought from nearby churches.
Kurşunlu Mosque · Şebinkarahisar
According to its inscription, construction took five years and was completed in 1586; it was built by a benefactor named Allah Kulu Bey. A typical classical Ottoman plan, with three domes and a portico.
Together with a bathhouse and a fountain it forms the Kurşunlu Complex. It is around the slope up to the castle, within walking distance of the Fatih Mosque.
The central mosques
Several mosques in the city centre are within walking distance:
- Castle Mosque — on the castle road
- Kapu Mosque — inside the bazaar
- Hacı Miktad Mosque — with its inscription
- Soğuk Su Mosque — domed, with a stone minaret
These are a natural part of the city walk; they fall on the same route as the museum and Zeytinlik.
Sarayburnu (Şeyh Ali Ağa) Mosque · Bulancak
On Atatürk Avenue, a large mosque notable for both its exterior and its interior decoration. It is said to be aligned with the Kaaba. One of the region's most admired mosques.
Period table
| Mosque | Period | District |
|---|---|---|
| Behramşah | Seljuk · 13th c. | Şebinkarahisar |
| Fatih Mosque | After 1473 · 1888 structure | Şebinkarahisar |
| Kurşunlu | 1586 | Şebinkarahisar |
| Central mosques | Ottoman period | Centre |
| Sarayburnu | Recent period | Bulancak |
Visiting notes
- Visiting is easier outside prayer times.
- Mind the dress code and the rule of removing shoes.
- When taking photos, do not disturb those praying.
- Small mosques may sometimes be locked; ask people nearby.
On the map
On the map the central mosques join the museum-and-Zeytinlik walk; the rest sit inland.
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