Kilis Mosques Reopen After Earthquake Restoration
Akcurun, Cüneyne and Pirlioğlu reopened; 14 of 20 damaged Kilis mosques are restored.
Three historic mosques in Kilis, southern Türkiye, have reopened for worship after restoration. Akcurun, Cüneyne and Pirlioğlu were damaged in the 6 February 2023 earthquakes. Worshippers held Friday prayers in them on 13 November 2026, and the Kilis mosques restoration now covers 14 of 20 damaged mosques.
Officials marked the reopening with a ceremony and prayers. Vakıflar Genel Müdürü (Director General of Foundations) Sinan Aksu and Kilis Governor Ömer Kalaylı both spoke at the event.
What was done at each of the three mosques
The work differed from mosque to mosque. According to the report, Pirlioğlu Mosque dates to the 17th century. Crews strengthened it after the quake and renewed its roof, stonework and woodwork.
Cüneyne Mosque suffered heavy damage. Its walls, roof and minaret were rebuilt, and the structure was reinforced. The report gives no construction date for this mosque.
Akcurun Mosque was built in 1583. Parts of it collapsed in the earthquakes, and those sections were rebuilt. Restorers also worked on its dome, its vaults and its minaret.
How much of Kilis’s heritage is back in use
The governor said 22 foundation works (vakıf eserleri) were damaged in Kilis, and 20 of them were mosques. A vakıf is a charitable foundation, a long-standing institution in Ottoman and Turkish society that often maintained mosques and other public buildings.
Kalaylı said restoration of 14 mosques is complete. Work continues on the remaining six. The report does not say what the other two damaged works are, and it gives no completion date for the remaining mosques.
Aksu said the works were rebuilt with foundation revenues. That detail points to the role of the General Directorate of Foundations, which oversees many historic religious buildings across the country.
Why the reopening matters beyond the prayer hall
Historic mosques are more than places of worship. They are also records of local craftsmanship, from vaulted stone construction to carved timber. Restoring them after a major earthquake often means repairing the structure and keeping the original character.
For readers who follow Turkish history and culture, Kilis is a reminder that the 2023 earthquakes also hit heritage sites. Recovery there continues one building at a time, and six mosques are still being restored.
Source: SonDakika
Featured image: gzt.com
