A tall, leaning 13th-century minaret of red brick beside the small Red Minaret Mosque, built during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubad. Foundation settlement gave it a pronounced tilt, earning it the nickname 'Aksaray's Leaning Tower of Pisa'; it was reinforced with steel ties in the 1970s to prevent collapse.
Egri Minare, meaning 'crooked minaret' in Turkish, is a leaning 13th-century brick tower in the centre of Aksaray city, attached to the small Kızıl Minare Mosque (Red Minaret Mosque) from which it takes its alternative name. The minaret was erected during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubad I of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, most likely between 1221 and 1237, as part of a wider programme of religious construction in the region's principal cities.
The tower is built primarily of red brick with decorative bands of faience tile in turquoise and dark blue — a technique closely related to the brick minarets of Konya and Sivas produced under the same Seljuk patronage. At full height the minaret originally terminated in a conical cap, now lost, which would have made it one of the more prominent landmarks of medieval Aksaray.
Differential settlement of the foundations caused the tower to lean noticeably to one side. The tilt is visible from the surrounding streets and is estimated at several degrees from vertical, earning the minaret the colloquial nickname 'Aksaray's Leaning Tower of Pisa' in Turkish travel writing. Structural reinforcement with steel tie rods was installed in the 1970s to stabilise the tower and prevent further movement, and these rods remain visible at the base of the shaft.
The base of the minaret and the adjacent mosque are freely accessible from the street; the mosque is a functioning place of worship open around prayer times. The exterior of the minaret can be viewed at close range, allowing examination of the red brick courses, the turquoise faience tile bands, and the reinforcement anchors. There is no admission charge and no formal visitor infrastructure beyond the monument itself.
The surrounding Minare Mahallesi (Minaret Quarter) retains traces of the medieval urban fabric and forms a compact heritage circuit with the Zinciriye Medrese, approximately 500 metres to the east.
Why it matters
Egri Minare is a rare surviving Seljuk-era minaret in central Anatolia, erected under Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I in the early 13th century and notable for its brick-and-faience construction technique and for the pronounced foundation tilt that has made it a regional landmark for centuries.
Location
Minare Mah., Nevsehir Cd., 68100 Merkez/Aksaray, Turkiye
38.3769, 34.0294 View on map
Highlights
- Visibly leaning 13th-century Seljuk minaret with a tilt stabilised by steel reinforcement in the 1970s
- Red-brick shaft with decorative bands of turquoise and dark-blue faience tile characteristic of the Sultanate of Rum
- Free, open-access urban landmark in the Minaret Quarter of central Aksaray
- Part of a compact city-centre heritage walk with the Zinciriye Medrese 500 m east
- Attached Kızıl Minare Mosque is a functioning place of worship with its own historical interest
Tips for visiting
- The minaret is most photogenic in early morning light when the red brick warms and contrasts well against a clear Anatolian sky
- Combine with the Zinciriye Medrese (500 m east) and Aksaray Museum for a coherent half-day city heritage walk
- The mosque is open around the five daily prayer times; remove shoes before entering and dress modestly
- No entrance fee or ticket is required — the minaret is viewable from the public street at any hour
- The lean is most apparent when viewed from the south side of the tower
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to climb inside the minaret?
The interior of the minaret is not open to the public. The structure has been structurally stabilised but access is restricted to preserve the tower's integrity.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend 15–20 minutes at the site. It is most rewarding when combined with the nearby Zinciriye Medrese and Aksaray Museum as part of a half-day city circuit.
Is the site suitable for children?
Yes. The minaret is viewed from the open street with no admission formality, and the lean of the tower is a visually engaging spectacle for all ages.