Kesik Minare

Standing tall and alone, the Kesik Minare is a testament to Antalya’s fascinating history. It’s a reminder of the city’s transformation throughout the ages, a stone sentinel that has witnessed countless dynasties rise and fall. This majestic minaret, known as Broken Minaret in English, is actually a remnant of a much grander structure. Originally, it was a Roman temple, built in the 2nd century AD. But its story is one of constant reinvention. During the 7th century, the temple was transformed into a Byzantine church in honor of the Virgin Mary, but this transformation was short-lived. Arab invasions ravaged the structure, leaving it in ruins. However, the spirit of the building wasn’t broken. It was revived again in the 9th century. Its biggest transformation, however, came in the 13th century. The Seljuk Turks, who had established themselves in the region, converted the church into a mosque, adding the towering minaret to its silhouette. Yet, the building’s identity continued to change hands. Imagine the scene – the year is 1361, and the Crusader king of Cyprus, driven by ambition, overthrows the Seljuks, reclaiming Antalya for Christendom. He consecrates the mosque back into a church, returning it to its Christian roots. It’s a constant dance, a tug-of-war between civilizations. Finally, under the rule of Şehzade Korkut, son of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II, the Kesik Minare became a mosque once more. But its journey wasn’t over. In 1800, fire engulfed the mosque, leaving behind only a crumbling structure and the solitary minaret. The minaret stood tall, its elegance and fortitude unyielding, a poignant reminder of the mosque that once stood beside it. This is why it is called the Kesik Minare – the Broken Minaret. The Kesik Minare, like the city of Antalya itself, is a powerful representation of resilience, adaptability, and the enduring legacy of past civilizations.