Eşrefoğlu Mosque
Mosque 13th-century Anatolian mosque noted for wooden-column architecture
Near Beyşehir in Konya Province, Eşrefoğlu Mosque dates to the Anatolian Seljuk period and features timber columns and carved wooden details. Visitors come to study its construction and to visit nearby Beyşehir Lake.
Eşrefoğlu Mosque is a 13th-century Seljuk-era mosque in Beyşehir, Konya Province, Turkey, built in 1299 and noted for its largely timber construction. It is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval Anatolian wooden mosque architecture.
The mosque’s main attraction is its covered prayer hall supported by an inner forest of timber columns and a wooden ceiling, giving an intimate, low‑height interior scale compared with later stone Ottoman mosques. The building also includes a courtyard and an attached porch area used in congregational flow.
Commissioned during the period of the Eşrefoğlu beylik, the mosque was completed in 1299 and has undergone conservation and repairs across the centuries to preserve its wooden structure. Its plan and timber-work reflect Seljuk Anatolian mosque-building traditions.
The mosque sits in the town of Beyşehir near the southern shore of Lake Beyşehir in Konya Province. Beyşehir lies in central Anatolia west of the city of Konya and the site is accessible from the town center by short local roads.
- Timber architecture: The interior is notable for extensive timber construction and a hypostyle prayer hall - avoid touching exposed historic wood and watch for low light inside.
How to Get to Eşrefoğlu Mosque #
Eşrefoğlu Mosque is about 80 km west of Konya city. From Konya, take the D400 road toward Beyşehir - it is approximately a 1-1.5 hour drive. Local minibuses (dolmuş) and regional buses run from Konya to Beyşehir; from the town center the mosque is a short taxi ride or a 10-15 minute walk along the lakeside.
Tips for Visiting Eşrefoğlu Mosque #
- Enter through the courtyard gate facing the small street to avoid the heavier tourist flow from the larger mosque complex.
- Wear modest clothing and be quiet and respectful - photography inside the prayer hall may be restricted during services.
- Look for the minbar (pulpit) and the worn steps leading to it; the wear marks tell the story of generations of worshippers.
Best Time to Visit Eşrefoğlu Mosque #
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit for agreeable weather and quieter hours outside of worship.
Weather & Climate near Eşrefoğlu Mosque #
Eşrefoğlu Mosque's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (612 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 8 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
