Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Stari Grad, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is an Ottoman place of worship in the old quarter of Sarajevo, with a main dome rising above the prayer hall. A slender minaret stands to the side, its balcony once used by callers to announce prayer times, while the courtyard is framed by arcades.
Construction began in 1531 at the request of an Ottoman governor who envisioned the entire complex as a religious and social center. Persian architect Acem Esir Ali designed the ensemble, which later suffered war damage and underwent multiple reconstructions.
The building bears the name of the Ottoman governor who ruled Bosnia in the 16th century and whose tomb lies in the adjacent garden. On Fridays, the courtyard fills with worshippers arriving for prayer, while the outdoor ablution fountains see continuous use for ritual washing.
Visitors must remove shoes at the entrance and wear modest clothing, with women covering head and shoulders. Outside prayer times, visits are possible, with mornings generally quieter than afternoons.
In the late 19th century, this became the first Muslim place of worship worldwide to receive electric lighting, installed during Austro-Hungarian administration. The lamps still hang in the prayer hall today, recalling that technical innovation.
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