Banya bashi mosque bulgaria. Sofia mosques

The Banya Bashi Mosque in Sofia is an interesting architectural creation that reflects the specifics of the 16th century Ottoman architecture. It is the oldest monument of Muslim culture in Europe and the only functioning Muslim temple in the city. Its construction was carried out by the architect Haji Mimar Sinan, presumably in 1567. The building, built of alternating rows of cut stone and red brick, is shaped like a cube and topped with a semicircle of a central dome flanked by four corner domes, complemented by an elegant minaret tower. The name of the mosque "Banya Bashi", literally translated as "many baths", arose thanks to the hot mineral springs under the foundation of the building, periodically rising into the air through the vents from which, you can, looking closely, see. Near the mosque there are fountains with mineral water, known for its healing properties, which the townspeople and guests of the city drink with pleasure.

Banya Bashi Mosque on the map

Type: Religious buildings Address: Bulgaria, Sofia, Knyaginya Maria Luiza boulevard. Opening hours: daily from 5.00 to 20.00 - 21.00. Cost: admission is free. How to get there: metro station "Serdika" or by bus to Sveta Nedelya square. Restrictions: The entrance to the mosque is prohibited during prayers. Clothing should be modest (especially for women).

Story

It is one of the oldest European mosques. Its construction was completed in 1567. The name "Bath Bashi" literally translates as "many baths". The most outstanding feature of the mosque is undoubtedly the fact that it was built over a natural thermal spa. Tourists with the naked eye can see how steam goes up the vents at the base of the mosque. The mosque is also famous for its large dome and minaret. Today, Banya Bashi is the only functioning mosque in Sofia.

Architecture
The main building of the mosque has a quadrangular shape. A minaret and a central dome rise among the four corner domes. In front there is an extension with three miniature domes. This building was built in memory of the late wife of Kada, Seyfullah Efendi.

The bashi bath is a very interesting architectural creation that reflects the specifics of the Ottoman architectural thought of the sixteenth century. The famous Ottoman architect worked on the creation of such an unusual and luxurious project. The walls of the mosque are made of bricks and stones; between the orderly rows of stones, rows of red bricks seem to be interspersed.

In four different corners, just like in the Makbul Ibrahim Pasha Mosque in Razgrad, there are small turrets, under which support structures descend through hoops. In the corners of the sixteen-rayed hoops there are double supports. The walls of the prayer hall, like the arches, are made of cut stone. The columns were built of solid stone, they are matte externally. The arch above the main entrance is also made of stone.

The central dome is covered with tin plates. The minaret of the mosque is an elegant architectural work. Architectural expert Evliy Chelebi believes that the beauty of this minaret is unmatched in the capital of Bulgaria.
Now let's go inside: the interior of the mosque has acquired its present form as a result of repeated alterations and rebuildings. The last major restructuring took place in the 1920s with the financial support of the Turkish Ambassador to Sofia, Fethi Bey.
Something was repaired, tinted, plastered just after the end of the Second World War. In recent years, restorations have been carried out with the support of Turkish and Arab waqfs. With their help, an underfloor heating system was installed, thanks to which the mosque is warm at any time of the year.

Today, the mosque is capable of receiving about 700 people for Friday prayer, and up to 1200 on Eid al-Adha! Once there were the graves of Mullah Efendi Kada Seyfullah and Emin Dede near the mosque.

Banya-Bashi Mosque (Bulgaria) - description, history, location. Exact address and website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.

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Sophia's Banya-Bashi mosque is definitely one of the oldest in Europe, although it is difficult to name the exact date of its construction today. Nevertheless, there is a stone with an illegible inscription and numbers in the above-door arch of the mosque. It is believed to be the construction date according to the Hijra (Muslim calendar). If so, the mosque was built around 1567. In any case, the mosque remains an impressive monument of Ottoman architecture and a recognizable landmark of Sofia.

The name of the mosque can be literally translated as “many baths”. The reason for this lies in the fact that the mosque was essentially built on top of natural thermal springs, natural hot springs. Some argue that even today you can see streams of steam rising from the walls of the mosque.

The Banya-Bashi Mosque was built thanks to Mullah Efendi Kady Seyfulla, therefore it is sometimes called the Efendi Mosque or the Kady Seyfully Mosque.

Sophia's Banya-Bashi mosque is definitely one of the oldest in Europe, although it is difficult to name the exact date of its construction today.

The mosque was built by the architect Sinan in the tradition of Ottoman architecture. It is a rectangular building with a large semicircular dome and four smaller domes surrounding it. Another small building with three smaller domes is attached nearby: this annex was erected in memory of Kada's wife Seyfully. The walls of the mosque are built of brick and stone, row after row, and in the corners there are small turrets that function as supporting elements. The inner walls are also made of stone, as are the monolithic columns and the arch above the entrance. The minaret of the mosque is especially impressive, the beauty of which amazed travelers back in the 17th century.

On the square in front of the mosque, there is a reservoir with decorative fountains. Interestingly, the water in the fountains is hot.

The interior of the mosque has been carefully restored and maintained in good condition. Inside there is a large hall for men and a women's gallery. The walls are painted from the inside with suras of the Koran and detailed ornaments. Also noteworthy are the tiles in the traditional blue and white colors. Since the mosque is an architectural monument, not only Muslim believers can see it.

Banya-Bashi today is the only functioning mosque in the city.

Practical information

The Banya Bashi Mosque is hard to miss: it stands in the very center, on Maria Luisa Street. The Central Department Store is located across the road, and the Sofia Synagogue and the Catholic Church of St. Joseph are in the neighboring quarters. It is easier to walk here from the Serdika metro station along the boulevard (about 200 m).

Sophia's Banya-Bashi mosque is definitely one of the oldest in Europe, although it is difficult to name the exact date of its construction today. Nevertheless, there is a stone with an illegible inscription and numbers in the above-door arch of the mosque. It is believed to be the construction date according to the Hijra (Muslim calendar). If so, the mosque was built around 1567. In any case, the mosque remains an impressive monument of Ottoman architecture and a recognizable landmark of Sofia.

The name of the mosque can be literally translated as “many baths”. The reason for this lies in the fact that the mosque was essentially built on top of natural thermal springs, natural hot springs. Some argue that even today you can see streams of steam rising from the walls of the mosque.

The Banya-Bashi Mosque was built thanks to Mullah Efendi Kady Seyfulla, therefore it is sometimes called the Efendi Mosque or the Kady Seyfully Mosque.

Sophia's Banya-Bashi mosque is definitely one of the oldest in Europe, although it is difficult to name the exact date of its construction today.
The mosque was built by the architect Sinan in the tradition of Ottoman architecture. It is a rectangular building with a large semicircular dome and four smaller domes surrounding it. Another small building with three smaller domes is attached nearby: this annex was erected in memory of Kada's wife Seyfully. The walls of the mosque are built of brick and stone, row after row, and in the corners there are small turrets that function as supporting elements. The inner walls are also made of stone, as are the monolithic columns and the arch above the entrance. The minaret of the mosque is especially impressive, the beauty of which amazed travelers back in the 17th century.

On the square in front of the mosque, there is a reservoir with decorative fountains. Interestingly, the water in the fountains is hot.
The interior of the mosque has been carefully restored and maintained in good condition. Inside there is a large hall for men and a women's gallery. The walls are painted from the inside with suras of the Koran and detailed ornaments. Also noteworthy are the tiles in the traditional blue and white colors. Since the mosque is an architectural monument, not only Muslim believers can see it.

Banya-Bashi today is the only functioning mosque in the city.

Practical information
The Banya Bashi Mosque is hard to miss: it stands in the very center, on Maria Luisa Street. The Central Department Store is located across the road, and the Sofia Synagogue and the Catholic Church of St. Joseph are in the neighboring quarters. It is easier to walk here from the Serdika metro station along the boulevard (about 200 m).

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