Publications
Divriği’s architectural plasticity: Study in Seljuk innovation and cross-cultural analogy
The Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği, constructed in the early 1220s under the joint patronage of Ahmed Şah and Turan Melek, stands as a groundbreaking fusion of Seljuk architectural innovation and sculptural artistry. This study reveals how the complex, attributed to master builder Hürremşah of Ahlat and his cosmopolitan workshop, defies conventional Anatolian Seljuk design by integrating high-relief stone carving, vegetal motifs, and rigorous structural techniques into a courtyard-less, multi-aisled mosque plan. The ensemble’s portals, particularly the North Portal and Darüşşifa entrance, exhibit unprecedented plastic dynamism, drawing heuristic parallels with later European Gothic and Baroque styles without implying direct influence. The research highlights Divriği’s unique programmatic complexity, including a modified four-iwan scheme, lanterned dome, and integrated mausoleum, positioning it as a monumental example where architecture transcends into sculpture through local craftsmanship.
Divriği Hospital - Medieval Healing Venue and Its Acoustic Characteristics
Research on the Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital reveals that its architecture supports optimal acoustic conditions for sound reception, aligning with medieval healing practices. The study, which analyzed a 3D model of the hospital built in 1228/1229 by the Mengüjeck dynasty, demonstrates that the venue's design enhances the effects of music therapy through environmental soundscape integration and the use of makams (musical modes). This suggests that Anatolian Seljuk hospitals were intentionally constructed to serve as both healing spaces and acoustic venues, blending functional and therapeutic purposes. The findings underscore the role of architectural acoustics in medieval medical practices.
The Construction and Geometric Analysis of Main Iwan Spiral Centered Flat Vault of Divrigi Hospital
The Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği, dating back to the 13th century, features one of the most intricate stone vaults in Anatolia, characterized by six groins that spiral around a central axis within an uneven octagon. This unique geometric design, distinct from other vaults of its time, suggests a sophisticated understanding of geometry and construction techniques. A study reconstructed this main iwan vault using hypotheses developed at Madrid's 'Taller de Construcción Gótica,' confirming its exceptional nature by comparing it to similar structures in Aksaray Sultan Khan and Sivas Buruciye Madrasa. The findings indicate that the Divriği vault may serve as a prototype for other spiral vaults built in the same century, highlighting its architectural significance.
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