Karadoz Bey Mosque, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Karađoz Bey Mosque was built on the foundations of the Catholic church of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr. An Arabic foundation inscription on the mosque records that it was commissioned by Mehmed Beg b. Abu al-Saʿadat’ who was a brother of a vizier in the year AH 965 (1557-58). Some scholars have claimed that the vizier was the grand vizier Rüstem Pasha, but Rüstem Pasha is recorded as having only a single brother, Sinan Pasha.

The mosque may have been designed by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan. It is in the form of a domed cube fronted by a double portico. The three domes of the inner portico are supported by four marble columns. The outer portico has a shed roof resting on small octagonal pillars. The large 10.65 metres dome of the mosque sits on an octagonal fenestrated drum which is supported by eight-pointed arches.

The mosque was severely damaged during World War II, and faced near destruction during the Bosnian War in the early 1990s. However, Karađoz Bey Mosque, like the rest of Mostar, underwent extensive repairs between 2002 and 2004. The mosque was completely renovated and reopened to the public in July 2004.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina

User Reviews

Şevval Dilara (3 years ago)
The imam of the mosque Yusuf, told us about the mosque and he offered to go up to the minaret. Then we got up. It was an amazing experience to us. Hvala

İlknur Ozturk (3 years ago)
The interior decorations of the mosque are very elegant, simple and beautiful. You can climb the minaret and see the city. In addition, the Imam of the mosque, Yusuf Hodja, was helpful and sincere towards us. He answered our questions about the city and the mosque and made recommendations. We thank you.

Gabriela Galíková (3 years ago)
Jozuf welcomed us for a private tour of the mosque way after the closing hours. We were lucky. He told us briefly about the history and design of the mosque, answered all the questions, and even let us go at the very top of the mosque to get an incredible view of the whole city of Mostar. Highly recommended!

Robin Schiller (3 years ago)
I can recommend visiting the mosque to everyone. It's a very beautiful building with an old and interesting history. Inside it resembles a beautiful garden because of all the nice paintings. Also it's absolutely worth it to go up the minaret. The way up and also the view from there is wonderful! The people over there are so kind. It's a must visit when you are around mostar.

Jevon Hall (3 years ago)
This was our first mosque experience and it was amazing! They were all so friendly and welcoming. We got to climb. to the top of the tower and see the city view from above. A lot of steps but worth it! 10/10 experience

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Karadoz Bey Mosque

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral