Red Mosque, Berat

Red Mosque
Native name
Xhamia e Kuqe (Albanian)
LocationBerat
Coordinates40°42′26″N 19°56′45″E / 40.7073°N 19.9457°E / 40.7073; 19.9457

The Red Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Kuqe, Turkish: Kırmızı Cami) is a ruined mosque in Berat Castle, Berat, Albania. It is a Cultural Monument of Albania since 1961.[1]

History

According to Ottoman explorer Evliya Çelebi (1611–1682), the mosque was built under the reign of Bayazid II.[2] It was probably built in the 15th century and was one of the oldest mosques in the country. It was probably built shortly after the conquest of Berat by the Ottomans in 1417. The oldest written record dates from 1431/32. The original names were Mosque of the ruler and Mosque of conquest.

The mosque was used by caravans crossing the continent, and later by the Ottoman army.[3]

Description

Staircase inside the minaret

The mosque is located just outside the citadel within the Berat Castle. The basic dimensions were 9.9 to 9.1 meters (32 to 30 ft) and had a wooden roof. It was built with red bricks and limestone.

The minaret is unusually on the left of entrance. The cylindrical part on its top is unique in Islamic culture.[3] Inside, a small circular staircase gives access to the top for a 360° view of the castle and the city.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Religious buildings with the "Culture Monument" status". Republic of Albania National Committee for Cult. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  2. ^ Evliya Çelebi. "1670 Evliya Chelebi: Seyahatname - a Journey to Berat and Elbasan". Albanianhistory.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  3. ^ a b "The Red Mosque". Beratkulture.org. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Berat Castle". Albaniantourist.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
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