Description of the attraction
Banya Bashi Mosque is an Islamic temple located in the city of Sofia. The initiator and sponsor of the construction was Mullah Efendi Kady Seyfullah, because of this sometimes the mosque is also called "Kady Seyfullah" or "Molla Efendi" (by the way, the mullah's grave was also located not far from the temple). In the arch above the door, you can see a stone with an unreadable inscription and the number 974, it is assumed that this designation of the date of construction is 974 AH (1566-1567). This is one of the oldest mosques in Europe. Its name is translated into Russian as "many baths" - the building was built over a natural thermal resort. Today the Banya-Bashi-Mosque is the only functioning Muslim temple in Sofia.
The main building is of a quadrangular shape, the structure is crowned with a large dome; in the front part there is a small three-domed annex, built in memory of the late wife of Efendi Kada. Above all this rises a high minaret, from which the minister of the temple - the muezzin - calls the believers to prayer.
The mosque is a fine example of 16th century Ottoman architecture. The walls were built from successive rows of stones and red bricks. The walls of the prayer hall, arches and columns are made of stone, the main dome is covered with tin plates. During its long history, the temple has undergone several reconstructions and acquired its modern interior only in the 1920s, after restoration work financed by the Turkish ambassador to Sofia, Fethi Bey. In the middle of the century, after the war, minor renovations were also carried out. Over the past decades, the mosque has installed an underfloor heating system with private Turkish and Arab donations.
In its current state, the Banya-Bashi-mosque is capable of receiving up to 1200 believers for the Eid al-Adha or 700 people for Friday prayers.
