Historical Anatolian mosques bearing the identity of Turkish-Islamic artworks and registered as cultural assets include numerous decorative elements either directly attached to the structure (dome, dome drum, mihrab, window lintels and corners, etc.) or external to the structure (minbar, pulpit, oil lamp, carpet-rug, manuscripts, etc.). One of the most striking elements of this identity and artistic expression is gypsum mihrabs. Gypsum mihrabs have also been widely used in mosques in Kastamonu, one of Anatolia's ancient cities. It is crucial to preserve the value of these architectural and artistic elements, which determine the direction of worship, carry symbolic meaning, and constitute cultural assets, and to pass them on to future generations. Within the scope of this study, six examples of gypsum mihrabs with geometric decorations located in the centre of Kastamonu were selected. These examples were evaluated in terms of the historical background and structural plan of the mosques to which they belong, the position of the mihrab within the structure, and the analysis of the decorative patterns. Their state of preservation was documented. Thus, it was aimed to contribute to the preservation and documentation of the mihrabs.

Kastamonu, gypsum mihrab, geometric design, Turkish-Islamic art, cultural heritage preservation.