Neradje Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Old Town, Rethymno, Greece.
Neradje Mosque is a rectangular building in Old Town Rethymno featuring three semicircular domes and a minaret topped with two balconies. The minaret stands as the city's tallest and dominates the skyline of the historic quarter.
Originally constructed as the Augustinian monastery of Santa Maria, the building was converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Rethymno in 1646. This transformation marked a shift in the city's religious and political identity under new rule.
The building shows a blend of Renaissance and Ottoman design elements, with Corinthian columns and circular skylights visible throughout the interior. Both styles coexist in ways that reveal how different cultures left their mark on the same structure.
The building now operates as a municipal music school and is accessible when cultural events or classes are held, making it an active part of the city's cultural life. Its central location in Old Town makes it easy to reach and a natural starting point for exploring the surrounding historic quarter.
During restoration work, builders discovered Venetian graves beneath the floor, revealing how many layers of religious and cultural history lie hidden within this structure. These findings show that the site held religious importance long before its transformation into a mosque.
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