Destination
Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi
Fırfırlı Cami is located on Vali Fuat Caddesi in the city center of Şanlıurfa. The original name of the structure, which was built as a church, is On İki Havari Kilisesi, and it is also referred to as Aziz Havariler Kilisesi. Since it does not have an inscription, its construction date is unknown. According to Murat Öcal Kaynaklar, the Varak Cross, which was located in the historic Varak Monastery in Van province and is of great importance in terms of Christianity, was brought to Urfa in 1092 and placed in this church.
Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi and 6 places around it
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Highlights
- Faith heritage
Good for
- Heritage walks
Suggested visit:45 minutes
Fırfırlı Mosque is located on Vali Fuat Avenue in the city center of Şanlıurfa. The original name of the structure, which was built as a church, is the Church of the Twelve Apostles, and it is also referred to as the Church of the Holy Apostles. Since it does not have an inscription, its construction date is unknown.
Murat Öcal
According to sources, the Cross of Varak, which was located in the historic Varak Monastery in the province of Van and is of great importance in terms of Christianity, was brought to Urfa in 1092 and placed in this church.
Murat Öcal
During the Ottoman period, because there were windmill-like materials on the structure, it was popularly called the “Fırfırlı Church”; after the church was converted into a mosque in 1956, the same name was given to the mosque. The structure, which serves as a mosque today, was also used as a prison for a while before being converted into a mosque.
Murat Öcal
The structure was built of cut stone in a three-nave basilical plan layout. The entrance door on the western facade is semi-domed on the inside, pointed-arched on the exterior facade, and made of pink marble stone. The bell tower is located above the main entrance door.
The Turkish translation of the Arabic inscription on the entrance door: Enter safely. Murat Öcal
The apse of the church was walled up and turned into a window during its conversion into a mosque. One of the southern windows was also turned into a mihrab, and a stone minbar was built in front of the half-column located in the middle of the southern wall.
Murat Öcal
The half-columns and decorations on the exterior facades of the structure, which draws attention with its architecture, are intriguing as decorative elements. The structure, which is quite rich in terms of stone ornamentation, is especially notable for the stone workmanship on its western facade and corner towers.
Sources:
"Kültür ve İnançlar Diyarı Şanlıurfa" Şanlıurfa Governorship Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism Publications City Library Series:26
“Şanlıurfa Mosques”, A. Cihat Kürkçüoğlu, Şanlıurfa: Şurkav Publications, 1993.
Places to Visit in Şanlıurfa Address: Yeni Mahallesi, 63200 Şanlıurfa Merkez/Şanlıurfa
Last updated: 22 October 2026
Location and surroundings
Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi sits within Eyyübiye, Şanlıurfa. The toroti catalogue holds 75 described stops across Şanlıurfa, 48 of them in Eyyübiye.
The nearest stop is Kutbeddin Cami, 270 m to the east. Another 6 catalogued points lie within a 30 km radius.
The Gaziantep – Sanliurfa route passes 12 km away, so this works as a stop along the drive.
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Frequently asked
- What is Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi?
- Fırfırlı Cami is located on Vali Fuat Caddesi in the city center of Şanlıurfa. The original name of the structure, which was built as a church, is On İki Havari Kilisesi, and it is also referred to as Aziz Havariler Kilisesi. Since it does not have an inscription, its construction date is unknown. According to Murat Öcal Kaynaklar, the Varak Cross, which was located in the historic Varak Monastery in Van province and is of great importance in terms of Christianity, was brought to Urfa in 1092 and placed in this church.
- Where is Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi?
- Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi is in Eyyübiye, Şanlıurfa.
- How long does it take to visit Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi?
- The suggested visit time for Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi is about 45 minutes.
- What else is there to see near Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi?
- toroti’s catalogue holds other destinations within 30 km of Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi; the closest are Kutbeddin Cami, Nebih Efendi Türbesi, Kadioğlu Cami.
- Is Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi on the way anywhere, and which route?
- Firfirli Cami/ On İki Havari Kilisesi/ Aziz Havariler Kilisesi lies 12 km from the Gaziantep – Sanliurfa route, close enough to add to that drive with a short detour.