Known locally as the Selçuklu or Güdük Minaret, this solitary tower is one of Bergama’s most intriguing medieval fragments. The mosque beside it—also remembered as the Arab Mosque or Müftü Mosque—was demolished in 1930, leaving the minaret to mark a sacred building that can no longer be experienced as a whole.
Despite its modern name, the monument is generally dated to the fourteenth or fifteenth century, during the period of the Anatolian principalities. No surviving construction inscription resolves its exact date. That uncertainty makes careful observation more rewarding than searching for a single definitive founding story.
Reading the structure
The square base is faced in marble, while cut stone and brick form the rising body. A Bursa-arched niche and pointed entrance articulate the lower section. Remains of walling on the western side show where the mosque’s prayer hall once joined the tower.
Above, prismatic triangles ease the transition to the cylindrical shaft. A geometric lozenge pattern decorates the lower body, while spiralling bands of glazed and unglazed brick introduce aubergine-purple, turquoise and greenish-yellow colour. The balcony and its openwork marble balustrade preserve unusually delicate craftsmanship for such an exposed survivor.
Visiting today
This is primarily an exterior architectural stop rather than a conventional museum visit. Do not expect extensive interpretation, a staffed entrance or access inside the minaret. View it from public areas without climbing, touching fragile masonry or entering restricted ground.
Fifteen to twenty minutes is sufficient, but the minaret becomes more meaningful within Bergama’s lower-town story. Pair it with the Red Basilica, Arasta, Ulu Mosque and traditional neighbourhoods before or after the Acropolis.
Because Bergama’s monuments are spread between the lower town and hilltop, İzmirBlog can arrange a private transfer and route that connects them efficiently while leaving time for the town itself.
Editorial sources: Primary source · Supporting source 1. Visitor information can change; verify current access arrangements before travelling.
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