TURALIBEG (POLISH) MOSQUE IN TUZLA
HOW TO PRESERVE THE MEMORY OF A PLACE?
Author: Prof. Aida Abadžić Hodžić, PhD, full professor, Faculty of Philosophy of University of Sarajevo • Photo & video: Mirza Hasanefendić
Turalibeg (Polish) Mosque is part of the rich waqf of Turali-bey and was originally built in the second half of the 16th century. having preserved its original form until the end of the 19th century. The contemporary project of academician Zlatko Ugljen (with Nina Ugljen Ademović and Husejn Dropić as co-authors, 2006–2013) implied revitalization of the building based on its original form, as part of the waqf whole, while taking into consideration the distinctiveness of the site.
The author maintained the form of a single-space mosque covered with a hipped roof, while he emphasized the pyramidal form of the roof on the front side by means of eaves over sofas (raised space for praying next to the mosque) like the one that existed on the original building. This form of a mosque indicates a close relationship with the traditional architecture of Bosnian house and underscores Ugljen's desire to preserve the “memory of a place”.
