The Beyazıt Paşa Mosque, built in 1414 on initiative of this Grand Vizir of sultan Mehmet I.

On the picture: Close-up of the wooden entrance door to the prayer hall. Although this is nice and elaborate woodcarving, it is mere imitation of the Seljuk ‘kundekari’ technique.

When the real ‘kündekari’ technique is used, pieces of different sizes are worked separately, and then assembled (like a big jigsaw puzzle), without using any glue, split pin or nail. This technique is extremely difficult.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.