İsa Bey Mosque Mosque
13th-century Seljuk mosque with monumental portal
A 14th-century Aydinid mosque near the ruins of Ephesus in İzmir Province, İsa Bey Mosque interests architecture fans for its stone portals, courtyard layout and regional Islamic art.
İsa Bey Mosque at a Glance#
Address: Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey (near Ephesus)
Hours: Open daily during daylight hours
Admission: Free to enter (active mosque; donations welcome)
About İsa Bey Mosque#
The İsa Bey Mosque is a 14th-century stone mosque in Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey, built under the Aydinid dynasty and dated to the mid-1370s. It is one of the largest surviving medieval Anatolian mosques from that period.
Commissioned by İsa Bey of the Aydinids, the mosque dates to about 1374-1375 and was constructed during the Aydinid principality’s control of the region. It has experienced periods of repair and partial ruin over the centuries but retains key elements of its original fabric.
The mosque stands in the town of Selçuk, close to the archaeological sites of Ephesus and the Basilica of St. John, in İzmir Province on Turkey’s Aegean coast.
- Proximity to Ephesus: Located within walking distance of the Ephesus archaeological zone, making it easy to pair with visits to the Roman ruins and the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk.
- Best time to visit: Morning or late-afternoon visits provide cooler light for photography of the stone courtyard and the mosque’s carved details.
How to Get to İsa Bey Mosque#
The İsa Bey Mosque sits in the centre of Selçuk (İzmir Province), close to the Ayasoluk (Ayasuluk) hill and the town’s main station. From İzmir city centre you can reach Selçuk by regional TCDD trains (Basmane-Söke/Denizli services) or by intercity buses from İzmir Otogar; the drive is roughly 75-90 km south along the D550/E87 and takes around 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic. Once in Selçuk the mosque is within easy walking distance of the Selçuk railway station and the town centre (about a 5-15 minute walk depending on where you arrive).
Tips for Visiting İsa Bey Mosque#
- Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid tour-bus crowds and to get softer light for photography.
- Avoid Friday midday (congregational prayer) when visitor access is restricted or the site is busiest; be prepared for the mosque to be temporarily closed for services.
- Combine a visit to İsa Bey Mosque with nearby Selçuk sights (Basilica of St. John, the House of the Virgin Mary and the archaeological sites) to make the most of one trip to the area.
Best Time to Visit İsa Bey Mosque#
For a comfortable, less crowded visit to this indoor historic mosque, go in spring or autumn rather than peak summer.
Weather & Climate near İsa Bey Mosque#
İsa Bey Mosque's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 33°C. Moderate rainfall (699 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 139 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| February | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 8° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.7 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| March | Very Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 10° - 21° | 16° | 47 mm | some cloud | 72% | 3.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.0h |
| May | Ideal | 13° - 26° | 20° | 22 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.0h |
| June | Ideal | 17° - 31° | 24° | 9 mm | clear | 49% | 3.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.5h |
| July | Ideal | 20° - 33° | 26° | 4 mm | clear | 39% | 4.3 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.3h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 32° | 26° | 5 mm | clear | 39% | 4.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.4h |
| September | Ideal | 16° - 29° | 23° | 19 mm | clear | 48% | 3.4 m/s | 1.5 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Ideal | 12° - 24° | 18° | 42 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 3.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 89 mm | some cloud | 71% | 3.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.0h |
| December | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 142 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
