Kocatepe Mosque, Ankara (must see)

The Kocatepe Mosque stands as the largest mosque in Ankara. Its construction took place over two decades, spanning from 1967 to 1987, in the Kocatepe district within Kızılay. Its imposing size and prominent location have established it as a prominent landmark, visible from nearly every corner of central Ankara.

The concept of erecting the Kocatepe Mosque originated in the 1940s. In 1956, under the leadership of Adnan Menderes, who served as the Prime Minister at that time, land was designated for the mosque project in Ankara. Subsequently, a call for project proposals was issued in 1957. The selected design was characterized by its innovative and contemporary approach. Construction began but was halted at the foundation stage due to considerable criticism from conservative groups who found fault with its modernist aesthetics.

Later, Vedat Dalokay undertook the construction of a modified version of the Kocatepe Mosque. He earned this opportunity after winning an international competition to design the Shah Faisal Masjid in Islamabad, Pakistan, in 1969.

The Kocatepe Mosque boasts the capacity to accommodate up to 100,000 worshippers, solidifying its status as one of the world's largest mosques. It is widely recognized as a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture. Completed in 1987, this project embodies a neo-classical Ottoman architectural style, blending elements from the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne and the Şehzade and Sultan Ahmet Mosques in Istanbul.