Description of the attraction
The Begov Jamia Mosque has a second, no less popular name - Gazi Khusrev-Bey Mosque, in honor of the Ottoman Pasha.
The time of his reign of Bosnia, from 1521 to 1541, remained in history as the heyday of Sarajevo. This renowned builder and philanthropist introduced the tradition of donations for the construction of Islamic public institutions. During his reign, a madrasah, a library, the Bascarsija and Begova Jamia markets, the most beautiful and largest mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina were built. Built in 1530, it still retains the title of the largest in the region.
The project of the mosque was entrusted to the chief architect of the Ottoman court, who gave preference to the early Ottoman architectural style with characteristic stucco molding and stalactite vaults. Its central dome rises 26 meters, the domes of the side annexes are smaller in size, the mihrab, a ritual niche with an arch, is covered with a semi-dome. The complex foundation provides for side annexes with separate entrances. In ancient times, they gave shelter to dervishes - itinerant Islamic monks.
The mosque is located in the old town, a heritage of the Ottoman period. But by right it is an adornment of the whole Sarajevo. Due to its impressive size, it looks very majestic.
This religious building has survived many cataclysms. During the so-called Great Turkish War with the unification of Christian states, Sarajevo was sieged at the end of the 17th century. The main mosque, Begov Jamia, was among the damaged buildings. It was only possible to restore it after 85 years. At the end of the 19th century, at the beginning of the Austro-Hungarian occupation, the Muslim shrine was damaged by fire. It was restored and until the beginning of the Balkan War, the mosque remained the most beautiful Islamic building in the city.
During the 1992-1995 siege of Sarajevo, the mosque was subjected to targeted artillery fire and severely damaged. It was reconstructed, but they could not fully return to its original appearance. In any case, it remains the largest mosque in the country.
