Possible Traces of the Lost Tower Dome Tomb in Gevaş, Thought To Be From the Seljuk Era

Abstract

The construction and decoration materials preferred in historic buildings can reveal the building tradition of the period and the social tastes in architecture. In addition, the traces of events that have deeply shaken social life, such as war, migration and earthquakes, can be understood from the architectural features of the buildings and the expressions in the inscriptions. The Geva; & Idot;zzettin Shir Mosque on the shore of the Lake Van is one of the most important structures of medieval Turkish-Islamic architecture, and a madrasah was added to its north during the Ottoman period. Traces on the walls of the mosque and restoration reports indicate that it has undergone a restoration process over many years. These renovations have raised a number of questions. The tomb inscription in the harim, the medallion decoration on the walls and the border arrangements are thought to belong to another building. In addition, tombstones were used on the walls, one of which has a lamp motif. Knowing the building from which these inscriptions and materials were taken and determining the events that led to the second use of architectural pieces, reveals that Seljuk architecture in Geva; has earlier periods than known. In this article, the inscription, architectural stone plastics and tombstones used as spolia in Geva; Izzettin Shir Mosque and Madrasah are analysed and compared with the monuments in the nearby region and the traces of a lost tower dome tomb from the Seljuk period are studied.