Construction delays and design disputes surround the Kocatepe Mosque. It stands as Ankara’s largest mosque. Its prominent location means it is visible from almost anywhere in central Ankara.
The story of Kocatepe Mosque begins in the 1940s. Ahmet Hamdi Akseki sought to build a mosque in Yenisehir. He was the vice-president of Turkish Religious Affairs. In 1944, he and seventy-two others formed a society for this purpose.
In 1947, the society requested architectural projects. However, none were deemed suitable. Adnan Menderes, Prime Minister, allocated land in 1956. A new request for projects occurred in 1957.
Thirty-six projects were evaluated. Vedat Dalokay and Nejat Tekelioglu’s joint project was chosen. Their design was modern and innovative. Construction began. Conservatives heavily criticized the modernist look. The construction was stopped at the foundation level.
Interestingly, Dalokay later used a modified version of his design. He won an international competition for the Shah Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, in 1969. That mosque is one of the world’s largest. Many consider it a frontier of modern Islamic architecture.
A third architectural competition took place in 1967. Hüsrev Tayla and M. Fatin Uluengin’s more conservative design was selected. Construction finished in 1987. The Kocatepe Mosque was built in a neo-classical Ottoman style. Its design draws inspiration from the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. It also takes cues from the Shehzade and Sultan Ahmet mosques in Istanbul. These were influenced by the Hagia Sophia’s Eastern Roman architecture.
The Kocatepe Mosque can accommodate 24,000 worshippers. The mosque’s length is 67 meters. Its width is 64 meters. Each of its four minarets reaches a height of 88 meters.
Inside the mosque, stained glass creates a significant effect. The interior is lit by a main chandelier. Thirty-two satellite chandeliers and four corner chandeliers add to the glow. The main chandelier is 5.5 meters in diameter. Its chains feature crystal balls. The frames are gold plated.
The Kocatepe Mosque also has a central heating system. Heat rises from the floor. The Harem features a hand-woven carpet. Its pattern mirrors that of the Afyon Ulu Mosque. The galleries have machine-woven carpets with special patterns.
The Kocatepe Mosque stands as a testament to perseverance. It overcame design disputes. It reflects both Ottoman tradition and modern vision. Today, it serves as a prominent landmark. It is a place of worship for thousands in Ankara.