Abstract :
Minarets are among the significant elements of the structures of the mosques since the emergence of Islam. The minarets, constructed with the aim of Ezan to be heard farther, have some regional effects, aesthetic concerns that are influential on their formation. While the minarets were architectural elements serving functionally in the early years of Islam, they became part of mosque architecture and silhouette in the later periods. As materials of construction, stone and brick were preferred in the making of minarets. On the other hand in number of mosques, constructed especially in the 19th century and post-19th century, it is observed that the minarets were constructed with wooden materials. These mosques are generally small scaled district mosques. The reason why wooden material is preferred in the construction of these mosques stems from the fact that wood is easy to find and is a light material, and therefore easy to use. It is known that there had been wooden minaret constructions before the 19th century. Nevertheless, these minarets could not reach to the present day. One of the reasons of this is that wood is not endurable compared to stone and brick. Tokat and its surrounding is one of the regions where wooden minarets are seen intensely. Especially the minarets of a number of small scaled mosques that take place in Sulusokak, which is in the city center and on the foothills of the fortress, are wooden. These mosques, together with their wooden minarets constitute the silhouettes of historical districts.
NaturalLanguageKeyword :
Tokat , Minaret , Wooden , Architecture , Niksar
