Legends passed on by word of mouth
The Donation from the Vezir
from Uçhisar, Cappadocia

The Legend of  Karamanoğlu Cami
A Donation from the Vezir

Once upon a time the Grand Vizier of the Padişah, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, was travelling through Cappadocia. When he paid a visit to Uçhisar he was overwhelmed by the warm welcome of the villagers.
Wherever he went, whatever house or family he visited, everybody was more than honoured to host him. The poor people might have been lacking in money but their open and warm hearts made the Grand Vizier feel sincerely welcomed.
During his visit he became interested in the people of Uçhisar and in their lives of poverty; and he began watching and listening very attentively.
To the surprise of his companions and escort, he went out on the fields where the farmers grew the vines and down to the valleys to visit the gardens filled with apple, apricot and almond trees.
He decided to repay his subjects for their loyal service.
In the evening the Grand Vizier asked the Imam and the Head Man of the village to meet with him. In deep respect they listened to what he had to say:
“My dear servants of the empire, people of Uçhisar,” he spoke with his deep, loud voice. “You have hosted me well, and I have seen all the personal sacrifices you have made to be able to do so.”
Then he got up from his chair, and surveyed the villagers.
“People of Uçhisar!” he said. “ It is my will that you have a new mosque. I want it to be as big and as beautiful as the mosques in Istanbul. The cost is not important. This is how I want to reward you for all your efforts.”
The ambitious villagers immediately started the construction of the building. Everybody, young and old, man and woman, came together to see their cami growing day by day. The imam visited as well, and was very proud about its progress.
The walls, built in a square, were high and plain but strong. The minaret was built with simplicity too, but high enough for the muezzin to call out the prayers. The interior, spanned with huge arches, but without lavish ornamentation, was spacious enough to take in all the faithful.
Months later, the Grand Vizier could not withhold his curiosity any longer, so he travelled back to the village. When he saw the mosque, however, he was not pleased, and shouted loudly,
“This cami looks like a stable! But maybe this is what you deserve!”
What the Grand Vizier of the Sultan did not understand was that lavish ornamentation was unnecessary for the modest people of Uçhisar.
For them, simply having a place in which to worship was enough reward.
The Karamanoğlu Cami, or as it is known in the village, Dutlu Cami, the Mosque with the Mulberry tree, has now been used for hundreds of years and the villagers say “ Inşallah (God willing) we will use it for many more.”