Akcurun Mosque restoration nears completion in Kilis

Restoration efforts are nearing completion for the 400-year-old Akcurun Mosque in Kilis, which sustained heavy damage during the February 6, 2023, earthquakes. The project is being coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Foundations.

To preserve the mosque's original architectural identity while strengthening it against future seismic activity, workers have performed extensive repairs on the minaret, roof, vaults, and body walls. Specific techniques included using injection applications on the walls, reinforcing them with steel tension rods, and renewing the minaret using joint-and-groove applications.

Erdoğan Tunç, the Gaziantep Regional Director of Foundations, stated that of the 22 registered foundation cultural assets in Kilis that were heavily damaged in the earthquakes, 12 restorations have been completed. Three additional sites are expected to reopen for worship and service this week, with the Akcurun Mosque following closely behind.