Lead Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Mangalem Quarter, Berat, Albania.
The Lead Mosque is a mosque in Mangalem Quarter featuring a distinctive lead-covered dome and a slender minaret rising from its northern portico in decorative cloisonné style. The structure has a square prayer hall that opens to the space through numerous windows.
Built between 1553 and 1554 by Ahmet Bej Uzgurliu, the structure emerged as a significant Ottoman construction during the height of the empire's architectural influence in the region. It was declared a Cultural Monument in 1948 and survived through later periods of Albanian history.
The mosque demonstrates how Ottoman architects designed a prayer hall with many windows that flood the interior with light, and visitors notice the sturdy uniformly cut stone walls throughout. The space feels open and bright, reflecting the care taken in its construction.
The mosque sits near the town square on Rr Antipatrea and is easy to reach on foot throughout the day. Visitors should respect prayer times and dress appropriately when entering, as this remains an active place of worship.
The original complex around the building contained not just the prayer house but also shops, a school for Islamic studies, a public kitchen, a bathhouse, and a fountain, as documented by traveler Evliya Celebi. This broader ensemble reveals how deeply the mosque was woven into daily urban life.
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