Aslan Pasha Mosque, Ottoman mosque and ethnographic museum in Ioannina, Greece.
Aslan Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman-era house of worship located within the fortress of Ioannina and now operates as an ethnographic museum. The building features a domed prayer hall, a minaret rising with many steps, and holds displays of crafts, clothing, and religious objects from multiple faith traditions.
The structure was constructed in 1618 and occupies the site of an earlier Christian church that had stood on that ground for centuries before. Over the following centuries it served as the central place of worship for the Muslim community before eventually being converted into a museum.
The museum displays objects from daily life belonging to Christian, Muslim, and Jewish residents who once lived together in the city. Visitors can see clothing, jewelry, and household items that reveal how different faith communities coexisted in this space.
The museum is located in the old town and can be reached easily from the main square. You can climb the minaret stairs, but wear good footwear and be prepared for the narrow, steep passage.
The walls and prayer area contain original Arabic inscriptions and decorations from the 17th century that remain visible to this day. A distinctive feature is the seven-stepped pulpit, which in Islamic symbolism represents the Seven Heavens.
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