Completed work on creating an architectural concept of a visitor center for Mahmutbey Mosque in Castamon, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
According to the development agency of North Anatolia (Kuzka), the mosque of Mahmutbey, recognized as one of the most important wooden mosques of Anatolia and built using the “flooring” technology, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 as part of the “wooden hypostal mosques of medieval Anatolia “. After that, many measures were planned aimed at preserving the mosque and improving the conditions for visitors.
As part of the territory management, the project “Development of visitor experience for the Makhmutbey Mosque in the Village of Casaba” was prepared, developed by local authorities and implemented with the support of Kuzka as part of the technical support program for the development of directions in 2024. As part of this project, work has been completed to create an architectural concept of a visitor center, which is an important milestone.
The project provides for the creation of recreation areas around the mosque, as well as construction work aimed at improving infrastructure for a comfortable stay of both local residents and tourists. The landscape changes and improvements made in light will give mosques and its environment a more attractive look, especially in the evening. It is also planned to establish information signs that will inform visitors about the mosque itself and its environment, as well as places for the sale of local goods related to cultural heritage.
This project is of great importance for tourism in Castamon. Its goal is to make the Makhmutbey mosque a more attractive cultural area, contributing to the popularization of the cultural heritage of the region and increase the tourism potential of the region.