SARAJEVO NEIGHBORHOOD MOSQUES WITH HIPPED ROOFS

In the Ottoman period, Sarajevo, together with Belgrade and Skopje, had most mosques in the Balkans. It is assumed that at its climax in the 17th century it had about 120 mosques. Central domed mosques, such as Gazi Husrev-bey or Imperial one, were certainly the most prominent. There were eight such mosques in Sarajevo: Gazi Husrev-beg, built in 1531, Sultan Fatih/Imperial, of 1565, Ferhad-beg 1561–62, Ali-pasha, of 1560–61, Čekrekči Muslihud of 1526, Havadža Durak-Baščaršija of 1528, Buzadži Hadži Hasan of 1555 and Mustafa-beg Skenderpašić-Skenderija of 1518.

Still, most mosques had a hipped roof. By their form they were derivatives of residential architecture. Though of more modest dimensions, these mosques sometimes assumed a monumental form, and the best example is the Šarena džamija (Painted Mosque) in Travnik, which is unique by its appearance and size. Sarajevo mosques of this type are also called neighborhood mosques, since most of them were built in densely inhabited slopes of the old city. However, these mosques can also be basically classified as those with wooden and those with stone minaret. Stone minarets are typically found on the right side of the building, while wooden minarets were built as part of the roof structure. In both cases, the praying space and porch are covered with a single hipped roof. In Sarajevo, walls of these mosques were typically built of adobes and very rarely of stone (examples of neighborhood mosques with the stone wall include Sarač Alija and Kasapović hadži Ibrahim/Carina mosques). Neighborhood mosques were mostly named after their founders or after some toponyms. We will here single out several Sarajevo mosques with the hipped roofs.

Kebkebira hadži Ahmed Mosque (Mišćina Mosque) was first referred to in 1528. It is one of the most spacious Sarajevo mosques. It is distinctive by the fact that there are 11 small round windows in the upper zone of the walls. The stone minaret is indented in the building, which also makes it special. In 1870, scenes of Mecca and Medina were painted on the interior left wall by Mustafa Faginović. It is a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarač Alija Mosque (Vrbanjuša) was first referred to in 1528. It is one of few Sarajevo mosques with the hipped roof and stone walls. By its name it can be concluded that it was founded by a sarač (tanner).   

Vekil Harč Mosque (hadži Mustafa) was built between 1541 and 1561. It is also known as Hajji Mosque since it was customary to send Sarajevo hajjis off in front of it. It is also a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Šejh Magribija Mosque is situated in the west periphery of past Sarajevo. By its name it can be concluded that its founder originated from Maghreb. It was probably built in the mid-15th century. It burned down in 1697 and was renewed only in 1766, preserving the appearance ever since. It was severely damaged during the aggression. It is characteristic by its unusual barrel-like vault. In the interior, the original mahfil (gallery) from the 18th century has been preserved.

Čoban Hasan Duke Mosque (Čobanija) was first referred to in 1526. The mosque was rebuilt from the foundation by Fadil-pasha Šerifović in 1874/75. It was built in the manner characteristic of the 19th century with elongated vertical windows.

Jahja-pasha Mosque was built in 1482/83 and is one of the oldest Sarajevo mosques. It was heavily damaged in 1697 but has preserved the original stone mihrab (niche) and minber (pulpit).

Timur Han Mosque (Velika Berkuša) was built in 1560 and is one of the smallest Sarajevo mosques. It is distinguished by rhomboid windows on the front wall.

Mimar Sinan Mosque (Golobrdica) was built before 1528. It is one of few mosques with the mihrab on the longer side of the rectangular basis. The mosque has massive walls with nicely shaped and deep window recesses.

Kjose Sinan Lučevica Mosque was built in about 1560. It has one of the most beautiful stone minarets in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A very tall and nicely shaped mihrab stands out in its interior.

Tabak hadži Sulejman Mosque (Potok Mosque) was built in the mid-16th century. From its name it can be concluded that its founder belonged to the tanners' guild. It has an old painted wooden minber in the interior. The mosque has a wooden minaret.