Restoration of Radanya Mahmut Ağa Mosque
In North Macedonia, an Ottoman structure dating from the 15th century has been restored through a comprehensive project encompassing structural reinforcement, reconstruction, stone repair, dome and minaret restoration, and landscaping.
The surviving 15th-century Ottoman legacy in the Balkans.
The Mahmut Ağa Mosque is located in the village of Radanya, at the foot of Mount Plačkovitsa in eastern North Macedonia. Built in the 15th century, the structure, with its single-domed prayer hall, open portico, and cut-stone minaret, is one of the important examples of early Ottoman mosque architecture in the Balkans.
The mosque consists of a main prayer hall measuring 11.00 × 11.00 meters and a congregational section measuring 5.13 × 11.00 meters. The thickness of the masonry walls is approximately 1.12 meters at ground level and approximately 0.67 meters at the upper levels.
The building, which had not been used for a long time, had lost most of its prayer hall roof, last congregational roof, and supporting columns; only parts of its body walls and minaret have survived to the present day.
The project, carried out by TİKA, was completed between 2012 and 2015 through the restoration work by Taksim Yapı.
From a ruined structure to a living cultural heritage site.
Uygulama öncesinde üst örtüsünü bütünüyle kaybetmiş olan camide beden duvarları açıktaydı; taş örgüde malzeme kayıpları, çatlaklar, derz boşalmaları ve niteliksiz müdahaleler bulunuyordu. Harim, dış hava koşullarına açık durumdaydı.
Restorasyon sürecinde özgün olmayan taşlar ve niteliksiz ekler kontrollü biçimde kaldırıldı. Taşıyıcı sistem güçlendirilerek beden duvarları tamamlandı; kubbe, son cemaat yeri ve kayıp mimari elemanlar onaylı projeler doğrultusunda yeniden inşa edildi.
Pre
Post
Architectural Integrity
The collapsed roof and the last prayer area have been completed; the structural integrity of the mosque has been restored.
Pre
Post
Harem
The open and dilapidated place of worship was restored and brought back into use with its dome, gallery, joinery, and wooden fittings.
A controlled construction process extending from the load-bearing system to the lead sheath.
The restoration combined the preservation of the existing historical fabric with the reconstruction of missing sections within the same construction site organization. Each phase was carried out using a holistic structural system approach where the body walls, dome, minaret, and prayer hall would work together.
Body Walls
Unqualified additions were removed, and the stone masonry and wall top levels were completed according to the project decisions.
Dome and Drum
The dome's drum and supporting system were constructed in accordance with the approved reinforcement project.
Top Cover
The dome surface is complete; it is ready for waterproofing, eaves details, and lead roofing application.
Minaret Restoration
Stone restoration, surface repair, and the fabrication of missing architectural parts were carried out on the minaret.
Last Place of Congregation
The load-bearing elements and the wooden roof system were completed in a manner consistent with the period characteristics of the mosque.
Architectural Completion
Stone, wood, metal, and roofing materials were combined to create a unified entrance facade.
Restoration, reconstruction, and landscaping all under one umbrella.
Not only the visible surfaces of the structure, but also its load-bearing system, roof, minaret, interior, and immediate surroundings were considered together. In this way, the mosque regained its architectural integrity while also being prepared for sustainable use.
- Controlled removal of non-original stones and substandard additions.
- Stone finishing and reconstruction in masonry body walls.
- Joint repairs and stone surface reinforcements.
- Load-bearing system strengthening applications
- Dome drum and dome construction
- Lead covering on domes, eaves and roof surfaces.
- Repair of minaret stones and completion of missing parts.
- Reconstruction of the last congregational area.
- Manufacturing of wooden galleries, stairs, doors and windows.
- Applications of wrought iron railings and metal elements.
- Completion of the interior surfaces and architectural furnishings of the sanctuary.
- Courtyard wall, fountain, walkways and landscaping.
The facade is made of cut stone, with a double row of windows and a single-domed prayer hall.
Yapının cepheleri ve minaresi kesme taştan inşa edilmiştir. Alt kotta dikdörtgen ve düz atkılı pencereler, üst kotta ise sivri kemerli tepe pencereleri yer alır. Harim giriş kapısı taş sövesi beden duvarından öne çıkarılarak kuzey cephesinde vurgulanmıştır.
Restorasyon sonrasında ahşap kadınlar mahfili, minber, vaaz kürsüsü, kapı ve pencere doğramaları ile iç mekân aydınlatma elemanları tamamlanmış; caminin sade ve dengeli mimari karakteri korunmuştur.
Basic data regarding the structure
- Period15th century
- PlanA single-prayer hall mosque close to the square.
- Harem11.00 × 11.00 meters
- The last congregation5.13 × 11.00 meters
- Construction systemMasonry
- Top coverA single dome on a drum.
- FrontCut stone and a double-row window arrangement.
- MinaretSingle-balcony cut-stone minaret
Its architectural identity and function as a place of worship have been restored.
Restorasyonun tamamlanmasıyla Mahmut Ağa Camii; kubbesi, minaresi, son cemaat yeri, harimi ve avlu düzeniyle yeniden bütüncül bir kültür varlığı hâline geldi. Şadırvan, çevre duvarları, taş yollar ve peyzaj uygulamaları yapının kırsal çevresiyle ilişkisini güçlendirdi.
The Radanya Mahmut Ağa Mosque has been restored as a powerful representation of the Ottoman heritage in the Balkans.
The project is one of Taksim Yapı's significant international restoration references, demonstrating the completion of a historical building, starting from severe structural losses, along with the restoration of the stone, dome, minaret, wood, and landscaping.
Tarihî yapılarda restorasyon, rekonstrüksiyon ve güçlendirme uygulamaları
Taksim Yapı, kültür varlıklarında belgeleme, proje koordinasyonu, uzmanlık imalatları ve saha yönetimini bütüncül bir yaklaşımla yürütür.
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