Hidden Memory of Inebolu: 300 Years of Transformation Witness Erkistos Mosque
While strolling through the historical texture of Inebolu, it is possible to find traces of a different era and culture in every corner. One of the stops that best reflects the multi-layered past of this deep-rooted city, which resembles a huge open-air museum in itself, is undoubtedly Erkistos Mosque‘is.
This building, which was built as an Orthodox church about 300 years ago, was one of the important centers of Inebolu's rich cultural mosaic in the past. According to historical records and narratives, it is claimed that the grandfather of the Greek Patriarch Bartholemeos served as a priest in this church for a while.
However, the course of history changed the fate of this building, just like in many other parts of Anatolia. The Erkistos Church, which was left without a congregation after the period of exchange, closed its doors and fell into a deep silence for many years. This waiting period came to an end in 1970 when the building was restored and converted into a mosque, and the place came back to life as a place of worship for a new faith.
When you step into the Erkistos Mosque today, you can see that the parts of the building that have survived from its original form are quite limited. But for those with an eye for architecture and history, the traces of the past are still there.
A timeless and transformation-defying original stone walls, preserves the grandeur and form of the building in the past.
At the gateway to the west located in the historic slide slot, continues to exist as a fine detail of wood and stone workmanship.
The window and some details in the area at the West Entrance are one of the rare relics that have survived from the first day of the building's identity.