Ali Ağa Camisi (Ali Agha Mosque), Izmir

The Ali Agha Mosque, one of Izmir's oldest surviving mosques, is a historic landmark that dates back to 1672-1673 AD (1083 Hijri). It was commissioned by Gedizli Ali Ağa, a prominent local figure, who also constructed a fountain and a madrasah alongside the mosque. Situated on 845 Street in the Odunkapı Neighborhood-an area once named after the mosque’s benefactor-the mosque stands as a testament to the vibrant Muslim community that flourished here from the 17th to early 20th centuries.

The mosque features a square-plan prayer hall (harim) covered by a single dome, a spacious congregation area surrounding the north and west sides, and a minaret positioned to the southwest. The minaret, constructed of bricks and plastered over time, boasts a single balcony and a cylindrical body, showcasing a straightforward yet elegant design.

One of the mosque’s most striking features is its intricately decorated mihrab, a semi-circular niche that indicates the direction of prayer. This niche is flanked by two columns adorned with composite capitals, embellished with floral motifs and gilded detailing. The dome’s interior is also richly adorned, displaying a central eight-armed floral motif surrounded by blue and brown-toned curtain patterns and delicate leaf designs.

The entrance to the harim is framed by a marble archway with wooden windows flanking it, each crowned with stone jambs and iron bars. Above the entrance, inscriptions detail the mosque’s history and its various renovations, including repairs carried out in 1896-1897 and 1958.

Adjacent to the mosque lies a tomb complex, shaded by towering cypress trees, where 67 tomb inscriptions from 1698 to 1878 commemorate the notable families of Izmir. Between the burial ground and the mosque, there is a hexagonal marble fountain, which once served the neighborhood’s residents.