Mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam, usually having one or more minarets and often decorated with elaborate tracery and texts from the Koran and it is also called masjid.
Of all Turkish buildings that had existed in Serbia, the most numerous were mosques. Only in Belgrade there were 273 mosques, but all of them, except one, were demolished during the history. The largest and most beautiful mosque that had existed in Belgrade was the Batal mosque, which was located on the site of today's Federal Assembly. Travel writers had compared it with the famous Hagia Sophia. It was pulled down in 1869.
These are some of the mosques that nowadays exist in Serbia.
Of all Turkish buildings that had existed in Serbia, the most numerous were mosques. Only in Belgrade there were 273 mosques, but all of them, except one, were demolished during the history. The largest and most beautiful mosque that had existed in Belgrade was the Batal mosque, which was located on the site of today's Federal Assembly. Travel writers had compared it with the famous Hagia Sophia. It was pulled down in 1869.
These are some of the mosques that nowadays exist in Serbia.
The Bajrakli Mosque
The Bajrakli Mosqu
e is situated in Belgrade. It is located in Gospodar Jevremova Street in the neighbourhood of Dorcol. It got its name from the flag (Turkish, bayrak) that signalled the call to prayer to other mosques. As the endowment of Sultan Suleiman II, it is the only remaining mosque of the many that once existed in Belgrade. It was built between 1660 and 1688. Originally, its name was Cohadzi-mosque, after the endower Hajji-Ali, a cloth merchant. It is a single-spaced building with dome and minaret. During its history it has been demolished or its function changed a number of times. During the occupation of Serbia by the Austrians in the 18th century, it was converted into a Roman Catholic church, but after the Ottomans retook Belgrade, it was returned to its original function.
Hussein-bey, assistant of Turkish chief commander Ali-pasha, renewed the building in 1741, and, for some time after, it was called Hussein-bey's mosque or Hussein-chehaya's mosque. At the end of the 18th century it was named Bajrakli-mosque.
After its renewal in the 19th century, which was undertaken by Serbian noblemen, it became the central city mosque. Today it is the only active Muslim place of worship in Belgrade.
Hussein-bey, assistant of Turkish chief commander Ali-pasha, renewed the building in 1741, and, for some time after, it was called Hussein-bey's mosque or Hussein-chehaya's mosque. At the end of the 18th century it was named Bajrakli-mosque.
After its renewal in the 19th century, which was undertaken by Serbian noblemen, it became the central city mosque. Today it is the only active Muslim place of worship in Belgrade.
The Altun-alem Mosque
The best known mosque in Novi Pazar, the Altun-alem Mosque, meaning “with the golden gemstone”, was built in the first half of the 16th century by architect Abdul Gani, better known as Mujezin Hadža al Medini. Is one of the most beautiful buildings of this type. It is set within a fenced compound which includes a mektep (school) and gravestones with inscriptions. This type of mosque is not usual in Serbia and similar buildings can be found in Istanbul and Amasya.
Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque
The Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque, also known as the Imperial Mosque, is located in the old quarter of Prishtina opposite the Clock Tower. It was built in the 14th century during the rule of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, also known as al-Fatih or the Conqueror and was named in his honor.
In 1689, the mosque was temporarily converted into a Jesuit church dedicated to Francis Xavier by the Austrian occupants during the Austrian-Turkish wars. The Imperial Mosque was restored during the rule of Sultan Mehmet IV, where as the present-day minaret is a reconstruction of the original, which was damaged during the earthquake that struck Pristina in 1955. Today, the main mosque is used by hundreds of Prishtina's citizens for daily prayer.
In 1689, the mosque was temporarily converted into a Jesuit church dedicated to Francis Xavier by the Austrian occupants during the Austrian-Turkish wars. The Imperial Mosque was restored during the rule of Sultan Mehmet IV, where as the present-day minaret is a reconstruction of the original, which was damaged during the earthquake that struck Pristina in 1955. Today, the main mosque is used by hundreds of Prishtina's citizens for daily prayer.
Sinan Pasha Mosque
The Sinan Pasha Mosque is situated in the centre of Prizren and it was built in 1615. The material used for its construction originates from the ruined monastery of Holy Archangels, a foundation of Emperor Dusan. It has all the features of classical Ottoman style, although its interior structure is unusual and rare.
It was named after its founder, Sinan Pasha. There is an inscription on its internal wall saying “Đenet misali”‚ meaning “similar to Heaven”. The Sinan Pasha Mosque is nowadays under protection of the Republic of Serbia as a cultural monument of outstanding importance.
It was named after its founder, Sinan Pasha. There is an inscription on its internal wall saying “Đenet misali”‚ meaning “similar to Heaven”. The Sinan Pasha Mosque is nowadays under protection of the Republic of Serbia as a cultural monument of outstanding importance.
Hisardzik Mosque
For the first time it was mentioned in travels of Evlija Celebija, the famous Ottoman writer of travels. Today’ s mosque in Hisardzik represents a sacral structure of recent date.It is situated below the fortified town of Mileševac in its suburb next to the necropolis where some older marks can be noticed.The structure does not have monumental features and is used exclusively as a religious structure.
There is a book of Koran in the mosque that is more than 400 years old. It is a manuscript written in an exceptional style and within this area represents a rare and valuable holy book from that time.
Hasan-aga’s mosque
It is located in the center of Priboj city and it was built in 1758, by Hasan-Aga. Hasan – aga was a wise man who realized that supporting young people was the only worthy investment. He gave his property to the God but for people to use. When he became the ruler of the Priboj region he established the mosque without a minaret. After a while it was completely built and decorated. It was the most representative building in the town. The mosque has been burnt twice and then restored. The last reconstruction was done in 1982.