@article{2018,title={OTTOMAN PERIOD MOSQUES IN THE ADJARA KEDA REGION OF GEORGIA},abstractNode={As one of the ancient populations on earth, Georgians are one of the earliest people to have converted to Christianity with its introduction to this religion by St. Nino (d. 338). Known as Iberia, Georgian lands, for many years, witnessed the power struggles between Byzantine and Iran. The arrival of the Turks in the region resulted in clashes as well as friendships over long periods of time. Turks first arrived in Georgia during the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror. The region continuously changed hands during the Ottoman-Safevid power struggle but saw Russian rule from the 18th century onwards. An autonomous region within Georgia, Adjara remained under Ottoman rule for the longest period, and therefore displays Ottoman culture the most. Its surviving mosques, school and many other buildings were constructed during the Ottoman period. Nine timber mosques in the district centre of Keda in Adjara are significant for their intact original architectural features. Although their construction techniques and decorative elements show similarities with timber mosques in the Black Sea geography, the mosques in the region also display different local features. Many details such as names of building masters and dates of decoration in the buildings we have investigated will be published for the first time. While these buildings merit individual articles on their decorative arts, this article aims to give a general introduction. The decorative programs and relations with nearby lands will be the subjects of other studies. These mosques were either used outside their original function or remained closed, and most of their original features remain intact. Therefore, any future intervention should aim not to harm the authenticity of these buildings.},author={Selçuk SEÇKİN},year={2018},journal={Journal of Turkish Studies}}