Big Khan Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Bakhchysarai, Crimea.
Big Khan Mosque is an Ottoman-style place of worship in the city of Bakhchysarai. It has a three-aisle square prayer hall covered by a hipped roof and two octagonal minarets rising to about 28 meters tall.
The mosque was founded in 1532 by Sahib I Giray and has shaped the city since then. After being damaged during the Russo-Turkish War, it was later restored under Khan Selameta Giray.
The mosque shows how religious and political power merged into one structure, particularly through a special area upstairs reserved for the Khan. This space reflects how the ruler acted as both a political leader and a spiritual authority.
On the northeastern corner there is a domed washing area where visitors can perform ritual cleaning before entering. The main entrance is on the northern side and leads directly into the prayer space.
The building originally had several domes of different sizes that made the roof more complex. Along the eastern side stood a school during the 1700s that complemented the religious center with teaching.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
