Et'hem Bey Mosque, Tirana, Albania

The Et'hem Bey Mosque construction was started in 1791 or 1794 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1819 or 1821 by his son Haxhi Ethem Bey, grand-grandson of Sulejman Pasha.

At the time it was built it was part of complex buildings that compose the historical center of Tirana. In front of mosque was the old Bazaar, in east the Sulejman Pasha Mosque, which was built on 1614 and destroyed during World War II, and in the north-west the Karapici mosque.

During the totalitarianism of the Socialist People's Republic of Albania, the mosque was closed. On January 18, 1991, despite opposition from communist authorities, 10,000 people entered carrying flags. This was at the onset of the fall of communism in Albania. The event was a milestone in the rebirth of religious freedom in Albania.

The Mosque today, constitutes of an architectural complex together with the Clock Tower of Tirana. Tours of the mosque are given daily, though not during prayer service. Visitors must take their shoes off before entering the inner room.

The Mosque is composed by prayer hall, a portico that surrounds its north and the minaret. On the north side is the entrance to the prayer hall, which is a squared plan and is constructed in a unique volume. It is covered with dome and the dome is semi-spherical and has no windows. The frescoes of the mosque depict trees, waterfalls and bridges; still life paintings are a rarity in Islamic art.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in Albania

User Reviews

katrina cadogan (8 months ago)
The mosque was stunning both inside and out. Visitors are required to dress modestly; you can bring your own scarf, or you can use one of the scarves provided on-site to cover your head. Additionally, your legs and shoulders should be covered during your visit. Entry is free, but donations are appreciated.

Zelda (8 months ago)
beautiful masjid ? so blessed to see it. disappointed how many tourists come here uncovered expecting to be treated like VIPs, they offer headscarves inside for this reason. amazing architecture and very friendly staff.

Sadia Haq (9 months ago)
Stunning mosque with so much history. It’s rig by in the old square so we stopped while on our tour to pray. Truly a sense of peace there. The staff were very kind as well. For the women you have to have modest clothing and wear a headscarf before entering.

Vittoria N (10 months ago)
A must visit mosque. The interior are stunning, really peculiar. There is no ticket entry although a personnel at the entrance will ask you for a donation.

Sabia Ali (11 months ago)
A beautiful example of Ottoman architecture. This mosque is still used as a functioning mosque for Muslims. Tourists are allowed in - with suitable attire - but visiting times are limited to late afternoon . We prayed at Maghreb time and the ambience was amazing. Had to remind ourselves we were not in Turkey or further East! There is a ladies section although the guard was welcoming and allowed us ladies to walk around the mosque to see all of it. Hearing the athaan (call to prayer) was very uplifting considering this mosque survived the communist era.

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