Göğceli Mosque undergoes restoration in Samsun

Restoration work has begun on the 820-year-old Göğceli Mosque in the Çarşamba district of Samsun, Turkey. Built in 1206 using a nail-free wooden masonry technique, the structure is known as the “Nail-free Mosque” and is considered a premier example of Anatolian wooden architecture in the Black Sea region.

The project, managed by the General Directorate of Foundations, commenced on February 16, 2026, and is scheduled to last 550 days. To protect the site from weather conditions, a temporary steel roof and metal walls have been installed. The restoration involves strengthening load-bearing wooden elements, renewing floors with original materials, and replacing the current tile roof with traditional wooden “hartama” covering.

Special attention is being given to the conservation of hand-drawn decorations and root dye patterns on the wooden ceilings and columns. Once completed, the mosque will reopen for worship, and authorities aim to nominate the site for the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.