MANISA ULU MOSQUE AND MADRASAH IN THE LIGHT OF NEW FINDINGS
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Manisa Ulu Mosque, constructed during the Principality of Saruhanogullari and stands out as one of the stunning structures of Asia Minor-Turkish architecture, constitutes a part of a large Islamic-Ottoman social complex consisting of a madrasah, a tomb, a bath, a Mevlevi lodge and fountains. The findings obtained within the scope of the restoration works initiated in 2019 in the Ulu Mosque and Madrasah have enabled us to acquire interesting data, particularly with respect to the initial construction phases of the building. One of the most important findings obtained as a result of the rasping works was figuring out that the north wall of the sanctuary was added to the structure later. It was found out that the mosque was originally constructed around a courtyard like maqsurah dome mosques specific to the early Islamic period, consisted of many carriers connected by arches and a dome in front of the mihrab, and the wall existing today in the north of the sanctuary and separating the courtyard from the sanctuary was not built during the initial construction. It was revealed that this setup was changed after a short time, most likely due to climatic conditions, and a wall was added to the north of the sanctuary. In addition, it was observed that the columns and caps in this section were also left inside the wall during the construction. Although it is known that the construction of the madrasah located in the west was completed approximately 10 years after the building of the mosque, it was controversial whether the construction of both structures was planned at one and the same time. The presence of window aperture and connecting lines between the sanctuary and the western wall of the courtyard between the madrasa and the mosque, some of which were closed later, revealed that the construction of the madrasah was decided afterwards. The research conducted out with respect to various parts of the roof within the scope of the restoration works have enabled to obtain interesting data regarding the original cover. The structure was covered with a reinforced concrete cover that looked like lead plate before the restoration works. The front part of the mihrab and the domes of the tomb were covered with lead. It was seen through the various documents and old photographs obtained regarding the structure that it was actually covered with tiles for many years. The flawed terracotta jugs of the 14th century, found in the spaces between the squinches and the dome as a result of the cleaning works carried out in this area, and the soil layer around them proved that the roof of the mosque and the madrasah was originally earth-sheltered.