The minaret of the Gülbahar Hatun Mosque in Tokat, Turkey, which had been identified as vulnerable to earthquakes, has been dismantled and reconstructed in accordance with its original design. The reconstruction was carried out as part of a restoration project overseen by the General Directorate of Foundations (Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü).
The minaret was carefully taken down in 2023 using controlled demolition techniques, and its rebuilding has now been completed. The project aims to preserve the historic character of the mosque while ensuring that the structure meets modern seismic safety standards. Restoration work on the main mosque building is still ongoing.
The Gülbahar Hatun Mosque is a significant historical and religious site in Tokat, a city in north-central Turkey known for its rich architectural heritage. The mosque dates back to the 15th century and is named after Gülbahar Hatun, a prominent figure in Ottoman history. The minaret, a distinctive feature of the mosque, had shown signs of structural weakness that made it unsafe in the event of an earthquake.
Turkey is located in a seismically active region, and the country has experienced devastating earthquakes in recent years. The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, which struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, highlighted the urgent need to reinforce or rebuild vulnerable structures across the country. Historic buildings, in particular, face unique challenges because they must be preserved while being made safe for future generations.
The General Directorate of Foundations has been responsible for the maintenance and restoration of many historic mosques and other religious buildings in Turkey. Its work on the Gülbahar Hatun Mosque reflects a broader effort to protect cultural heritage from natural disasters. The controlled dismantling of the minaret in 2023 allowed workers to salvage original materials where possible and to document the structure before reconstruction.
The new minaret has been rebuilt to match the original in style and proportion, using traditional techniques and materials. This approach ensures that the mosque retains its historic appearance while benefiting from improved structural integrity. The restoration of the minaret is a key step in the overall project, which also includes repairs to the mosque's main prayer hall and other sections.
Local residents and heritage experts have welcomed the completion of the minaret, seeing it as a positive development for the preservation of Tokat's cultural heritage. The mosque continues to serve as a place of worship and a landmark for the community. The ongoing work on the mosque is expected to further enhance its safety and durability.
The project is part of a wider initiative by Turkish authorities to retrofit and restore historic religious buildings across the country. Such efforts aim to balance the need for earthquake resilience with the preservation of architectural and cultural identity. The Gülbahar Hatun Mosque, with its newly rebuilt minaret, stands as an example of how traditional structures can be adapted to contemporary safety requirements without losing their historical essence.