Newly Discovered Spolia in Manisa Ulu Mosque and Madrasa

Abstract

Restoration works, which started in 2018 in Manisa Ulu Mosque and Madrasa, revealed new data for both the architectural plan, façade arrangement and construction material of the Ulu Mosque. Indeed, unexpected results were achieved in the studies. Ulu Mosque and Madrasa is one of the oldest and monumental structure that have survived from the Saruhanoğulları Principality period of Manisa. During the restoration work, when the layer of plaster on the inner and outer walls of the structure was removed, it was understood that the original plan and facade layout of the mosque were completely different. Moreover, it was determined that the spolia material used as construction material was also much more than is known until now. With the new findings, 22 more stone elements were added to the spolia material used in the building. The artifacts are mixed material from different dates ranging from antiquity to the Byzantine period. It was understand that mixed material from various periods was used together, such as a column, column capital, column base, postament, lintel, templon architrave, a piece of marble with an inscription. Two of the artifacts were found in harim and one in the courtyard during ground research excavations. Other pieces were mainly found in the north wall of the mosque. It was seen that they used to be directly included the original plan design of the structure, as an architectural elements. One of our determinations is that Muslim stonemasons, who are competent in their fields working under the Saruhanoğulları Principality, transform the works originally produced as postament or impost into the column capitals by giving them an Islamic identity with very practical analyses. This is also very important in terms of showing how the ready material is evaluated consciously without waste. Common stylistic unity is striking in the last enforcements made on spolia materials. The two column capitals that emerged on the northern wall of the mosque are extremely important data in terms of adding Manisa as a new center to the distribution area of the type (Capitals with S-Spiral Volutes) examined under the special group of Corinthian capitals in the literature. It is understood that the capitals of the same order and workmanship were transferred from the same building or were the products of the same workshop. It is believed that this design originated in Asia Minor, was made by the distinguished masters in Aphrodisias, Ephesos and Pergamon workshops, exported to other parts of the empire, or could be the product of masters who came from these workshops. Probably these capitals were carved for a Pagan Roman temple or monumental public structure built in Magnesia. Later, at a time when the empire was Christianized, they may have been transferred to one of the many monumental churches that existence was known in the city. We dont know, the old buildings standing or in ruins when Saruhanoğulları took over the city. However, the adventure of translocation of spolia, seems to have ended in the Manisa Ulu Mosque and Madrasa complex built between 1366-1378. In our study, it was aimed to introduce and evaluate newly discovered spolia material to the scientific world for the first time.

Keywords

• Manisa
• Roman
• Byzantine
• Spolia
• Ulu Cami
• Manisa Ulu Mosque
• Capitals with S-Spiral Volutes
• Cista
• Manisa Grand Mosque

Manisa Ulu Cami ve Medresesi’nde Yeni Keşfedilen Devşirme Taş Eserler

Abstract

Manisa Ulu Camii ve Medresesi’nde 2018 tarihinde başlayan restorasyon çalışmaları, Ulu Cami’nin gerek mimari planı, gerek cephe düzeni gerekse inşa malzemesine yönelik yeni veriler sunmuştur. Çalışmamızda, Manisa Ulu Camii ve Medresesi’nde yeni keşfedilen Bizans ve öncesi dönemlere ait devşirme malzemenin ilk kez bilim dünyasına tanıtılması ve değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yeni bulgularla, yapıda inşa malzemesi olarak kullanılan devşirme malzemeye 22 adet eser daha eklenmiştir. Sütun, sütun başlığı, sütun kaidesi, postament, lento, templon arşitravı gibi elemanların yanında, yazıtlı bir mermer parçası gibi çeşitli dönemlere ait karışık malzemenin bir arada kullanıldığı tespit edilmiştir. Eserlerden ikisi harim içinde, biri avluda yapılan zemini tespit etmek amacıyla yapılan araştırma kazıları sırasında bulunmuştur. Diğer parçaların ağırlıklı olarak harim kuzey duvarında, doğrudan caminin orijinal plan tasarımına mimari öğeler olarak dahil edildiği görülmüştür. Tespitlerimizden biri, Saruhanoğulları Beyliği bünyesinde çalışan, alanlarında ehil Müslüman taş ustalarının, orijinalde postament veya impost olarak üretilmiş eserleri, son derece pratik çözümlemelerle İslami kimlik kazandırarak sütun başlığına dönüştürmeleri olmuştur. Harim kuzey duvarında ortaya çıkan iki sütun başlığı ise bugüne dek literatürde Korinth başlıkların özel gurubu altında incelenen tipin (S-Sarmal Volütlü Başlıklar) dağılım alanına Manisa’nın da yeni bir merkez olarak eklenmesi açısından son derece önemli verilerdir.

Keywords

• Manisa
• Ulu Cami
• Taş eser
• devşirme
• bizans
• Manisa Ulu Camii
• S-Sarmal Volütlü Başlıklar
• Cista.

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