Tabakhane Mosque
The Tabakhane Mosque is a historic place of worship located in the İskilip district of Çorum. It takes its name from the tabakhane (tannery) craft of leatherworking that was once practiced in the surrounding area. During the Ottoman period, İskilip stood out as a township notable for its traditional crafts such as handicrafts, leatherworking, and weaving; traces of this craft heritage have survived to the present day in the names of the district’s neighborhoods and buildings.
History
The mosque was built in the 15th century by Şeyh Habib. This period coincides with an era in which much of Anatolia came under Ottoman rule and İskilip became an important settlement center in the region. Over the long span of time since its initial construction, the mosque has undergone various repairs; as a result of these interventions, the structure has largely lost its original form. This is a common feature seen in many small-scale neighborhood mosques in Anatolia, where wood is the predominant material and frequent maintenance is required.
Architecture
The mosque has a nearly square, rectangular plan. The main prayer hall, known as the harim, is covered by a wooden dome. The wooden covering system reflects a plain architectural approach characteristic of neighborhood-scale mosques, widely preferred in regions of Anatolia where timber was abundant.
The only architectural element from the building’s original period that has survived to the present day is the entrance doorway. Framed with marble and stone, this doorway is the sole element that bears traces of the mosque’s initial construction and that has been preserved largely unaffected by later repairs. For this reason, the doorway offers the most important clue as to the building’s original appearance.
Location and Surroundings
Situated in the İskilip town center, the mosque lies within the district’s historic fabric. With its historic houses, castle, and numerous historic buildings, İskilip is one of Çorum’s culturally rich districts. Considered together with the other historic mosques in the district, the Tabakhane Mosque constitutes one of the important examples of İskilip’s traditional neighborhood fabric and religious architecture.
Nearby and related sites include Ulu (Büyük) Cami (İskilip), Yeni Cami, Şeyh Muhiddin Yavsi Mosque, and İskilip Castle. For the general history of the district, see also the article on the History of İskilip.
ℹ️ This article has been enriched with additional historical context and editing over the original archive content.