Altun-Alem Mosque, Ottoman mosque in Novi Pazar, Serbia.
Altun-Alem Mosque is an Ottoman-style building in Novi Pazar featuring a twelve-sided minaret built from sandstone blocks. The walls are constructed from cut sandstone, and the dome is topped with brick tiles.
Construction took place between 1516 and 1528 under master builder Abdul Gani, during an era when Ottoman architectural styles from Edirne shaped buildings across the region. This period marked an expansion of the empire's influence on local design.
The building houses a religious school within its enclosed grounds, serving the Muslim community of Novi Pazar as a center for learning and community gatherings. The school represents an important role the mosque plays beyond prayer.
The building sits on Prvog Maja Street, a former major trade route that once connected empire cities and remains a main thoroughfare through Novi Pazar. This central location makes it easy to visit while walking through the city.
The name comes from Altuna, one of three wealthy sisters who funded construction, while her siblings sponsored a mausoleum and a fountain elsewhere in town. This family patronage shows how individuals shaped the city's appearance.
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