Malatya Ulu Camii Bezemelerinin Morfolojik Analiz Yöntemiyle Değerlendirilmesi
Malatya Ulu Camii, uygulanan plan şeması, teknik özellikleri, malzeme ve süslemeleri açısından Selçuklu Devleti’nin Anadolu’daki eşsiz eserlerinin başında gelmektedir. Cami’de kullanılan süsleme, bezeme ögeleri ve sırlı tuğla tekniği Anadolu’daki Türk-İslam süsleme sanatının gelişiminde etkili olmuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Selçuklu Dönemi mimari eserlerinden biri olan Malatya Ulu Camii’nin bezemelerini analiz etmek ve bu bağlamda tezyinat ögeleri üzerinden kültürel mirasın korunmasının önemine dikkati çekmektir. Dönemin yapı bezemelerinin Türk-İslam mimarisi bakımından değeri göz önünde bulundurulduğunda, başta Malatya Ulu Camii olmak üzere benzer niteliklere sahip yapıların koruma altına alındıklarında tezyinat özellikleri yönünden de derinlemesine değerlendirmelerinin gerekliliği anlaşılmaktadır. Çalışmada, Malatya Ulu Camii’nin doğu ve batı yönündeki taç kapılarında, mihrap ve avlusunda yer alan bezemelerde bulunan biçimler dört ayrı başlık altında sınıflandırılmıştır. Bu sınıflandırmaya göre her bezeme mikro ölçekte, fraktal analiz yöntemi kullanılarak morfolojik açıdan incelenmiştir. Buna göre elde edilen sonuçlar, taç kapılarda yer alan mukarnasların fraktal değerlerinin diğer tezyinat unsurlarından fazla olduğunu göstermektedir. Bunları sırasıyla geometrik geçmeler ve motifler, bitkisel motifler ve silmeler izlemektedir. Bu üç ögenin fraktal değerleri birbirine oldukça yakındır. Bu veriler taç kapıda bulunan mukarnasların, diğer süsleme ögelerine göre daha karmaşık bir geometriye sahip olduğunu göstermektedir.
Evaluation of Malatya Grand Mosque Ornaments Using the Morphological Analysis Method
The Malatya Ulu Mosque is one of the unique works of the Seljuk State in Anatolia in terms of its applied plan scheme, technical features, materials and ornaments. The decoration, ornamentation elements and glazed brick technique used in the mosque were influential in the development of Turkish-Islamic decorative art in Anatolia. The aim of this study is to analyze the ornaments of the Malatya Ulu Mosque, one of the architectural works of the Seljuk Period, and in this context, to draw attention to the importance of preserving cultural heritage through decorative elements. Considering the value of the building decorations of the period in terms of Turkish-Islamic architecture, it is understood that buildings with similar characteristics, especially the Malatya Ulu Mosque, need to be evaluated in depth in terms of their decorative features when they are taken under protection. In the study, the forms found in the ornaments on the east and west portals, the mihrab, and the courtyard of the Malatya Ulu Mosque were classified under four separate headings. According to this classification, each ornaments was examined morphologically at microscale using fractal analysis method. Accordingly, the results obtained show that the fractal values of the muqarnas on the crown gates are higher than those of the other decorative elements. These are followed by geometric interlaces and motifs, and vegetal motifs and moldings respectively. The fractal values of these three elements are quite close to each other. These data show that the muqarnas on the crown gate have a more complex geometry than the other decorative elements.
The Seljuk period represents a rich and deep-rooted historical process in which important examples of the TurkishIslamic architectural style are given. Residences and public buildings such as caravanserais, inns, baths and mosques, which are the products of this process, contain very diverse and unique qualities in terms of their architectural qualities and decoration elements. These qualities have been studied by many researchers from different disciplines for many years; Some of these qualities have inspired today’s designs.
The Seljuk period holds an important place in the history of Turkish architecture. The architecture of the Seljuk period attracts attention with its unique design and esthetic approach. The Malatya Grand Mosque is one of the unique works of the Seljuk State in Anatolia in terms of its applied plan scheme, technical features, materials and ornaments.
The Malatya Grand Mosque is a historical building that should be protected as a cultural heritage and transferred to the future with all its original qualities. In this sense, according to the regulation published by ICOMOS in 2003 and containing regulations on the documentation of architectural heritage, it should be treated both as a historical document and as a work of art. According to the Turkish Architectural Heritage Protection Declaration put forward by ICOMOS in 2013, it is essential to preserve the originality of the building in all its dimensions in the interventions to be made for the protection of historical buildings in our country. It is of great importance to examine the decorations, which contribute significantly to the originality of the Malatya Grand Mosque, in depth and to transfer them to the future accordingly
The Malatya Grand Mosque is located in Meydanbaşı District of the Battalgazi district, 8 kilometers north of the city center. The structure covers a quadrangular area of 33x50 meters, centered on the Malatya city walls. The Malatya Grand Mosque has a shape that reflects the characteristics of the Seljuk period, with its rectangular shape in terms of plan features, a dome in front of the mihrab, four swans and a courtyard with porticoes in the east-west directions. In the Malatya Grand Mosque, stone and brick were used as building materials. The facade character of the building, which has three doors in the east, west and south directions, carries the characteristics of the period to the present day. Tile mosaics with different geometric patterns are embroidered on the facades. The use of various colors for different motifs attracts attention. In addition, the tile decorations in the courtyard of the building represent the decoration features of the Seljuk period. Decorations in the building; It reflects the characteristics of the period in a cultural, social and artistic context.
The Great Mosque of Malatya, a prominent example of a Seljuk-era mosque that has survived to the present day, occupies a significant place in the cultural memory of the city due to its architectural characteristics and decorative elements. The transmission of this memory to future generations, its preservation in all its aspects, and its detailed documentation hold significant importance both in terms of the structure itself and in the context of the city and region. In particular, the presence of decorative elements in various forms across different parts of the structure reflects the fundamental characteristics of the Seljuk ornamentation and decorative traditions. Over the course of history, the mosque has been subjected to multifaceted academic studies by numerous researchers. However, the earthquakes of 2020 in Elazığ and 2023 in Kahramanmaraş have underscored the urgent need for comprehensive conservation efforts. A critical component of these efforts is the detailed analysis of the decorative elements distributed across different sections of the structure. Within this framework, a thorough investigation of these features and the subsequent evaluations will provide substantial contributions to the planned conservation initiatives.
The aim of the study is that ornaments and decorations that reflect thousands of years of culture of people and societies appear as an important architectural element in shaping, diversifying and enriching the spaces and facades of buildings. In this context, analyzing the current state of ornamentation and decorative elements, which represent significant and unique details of architectural heritage, identifying their identity and artistic qualities, and ensuring their holistic transmission to future generations are among the primary objectives. This study aims to numerically reveal the fractal dimension values by analyzing the facade and interior decorations of the Malatya Grand Mosque, an important structure of the Seljuk period, using the fractal analysis method. Thus, we aimed to numerically compare the similarities and differences of these decorations, which bear the traces of the period and enrich the interior and facade structure of the building, by grouping them within themselves. In line with this study, the aim is to draw attention to the importance of a more holistic conservation by increasing awareness about the harmony and balance in the ornaments and decorations of historical buildings shaped according to the socio-cultural and physical norms of the period.
Within the scope of the study, the tile and stone decorations in the Malatya Grand Mosque were discussed. The decorations were examined in terms of geometric qualities and evaluated accordingly by the morphological analysis method. In the study, the quantitative analysis method was used to obtain and evaluate data. The ornaments were examined in terms of their geometric qualities and handled with the “Fractal Analysis” method, which allows evaluation in terms of morphological qualities.
In 1976, the Polish mathematician Mandelbrot derived the concept of a fractal from the Latin word “fraktus.” This concept means “fragmented, fractured.” A fractal can be defined as a scale-independent repetition of a given module. The fractal analysis method has found the opportunity to be used in the field of architecture as well as in many other fields. Fractal analysis is expressed as the visual richness created by repetition, self-similarity and characteristic forms in harmony. With the fractal analysis method, the visual complexity values of the architectural objects are calculated and interpreted.
The fractal analysis method facilitates the understanding of the physical structure as well as the form. It is possible to observe fractal geometry in nature and artificially in many areas of the life cycle of living things. A fractal is formed by repeating the same module from unit to whole. It is contiguous from the smallest unit to the entire form, and differences can be seen in the fractal dimension values depending on the geometric structure of the form. Fractals reveal the existence of order in all situations containing “randomness.” The Fraclac plug-in of the fractal analysis Image-J program was used to calculate the fractal geometry values of the facades of the buildings evaluated within the scope of the study.
The fractal dimension value varies between 1 and 2. A value approaching 1 indicates low visual complexity, and a value approaching 2 indicates high visual complexity. The fractal dimension values provide information about the visual complexity levels of architectural objects. It is possible to make comparisons with similarities and differences.
Considering that there was a certain order and harmony in the plans, facades and decorations in the Seljuk period buildings; The morphological differences and densities seen in the crown door and interior decorations of the examined building are important data that should be taken into consideration in the context of conservation. In this sense, the fractal compositions of the decoration elements on a microscale and within themselves should be considered when protecting these elements and conservation practices should be developed accordingly. As a result, the study aims to provide a resource for similar research with the fractal analysis data obtained and to emphasize the importance of these analyses in terms of conservation.
The intense fractal values of the crown doors require special study in the context of the conservation of the ornamental elements at these points. In this context, these artistic elements can be described as both historical documents and complex-shaped works of art according to the relevant regulations; According to its geometric analysis, it would be appropriate to examine it meticulously by architectural and art historians, conservation and materials experts, and to develop multidisciplinary conservation practices. The relatively simple ornaments and embellishments on the facade moldings are at least as important as the elements with an intense fractal value on the crown gates. In this context, it is important to preserve the simplicity of the moldings on the facade and transfer it to the future.
In general, it can be stated that floral motifs with close fractal values and geometric interlockings and motifs are also well represented among the decorations in the building. Conservation efforts should be carried out in a balanced and sustainable manner, considering this harmony.
Because of the study, the forms found in the decorations on the east and west crown gates, mihrab and courtyard of the Malatya Grand Mosque were classified under four separate headings. According to this classification, each decoration was examined morphologically on a microscale using the fractal analysis method. Accordingly, the results obtained show that the fractal values of the muqarnas on the crown gates are higher than those of the other decoration elements. These are followed by geometric interlaces and motifs, and vegetal motifs and moldings respectively. The fractal values of these three elements are very close to each other. These data show that the muqarnas on the crown gate have a more complex geometry than the other decoration elements.