Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia, Bulgaria

Banya Bashi Mosque is a mosque in Sofia, Bulgaria. The mosque was designed by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and completed in 1566, during the years the Ottomans had control of the city. The mosque derives its name from the phrase Banya Bashi, which means many baths. In the Turkish language Banyo means bath and Baş (pronounced Bash) means 'head' or 'main', so looking at the location it is built on, a more logical translation of the name would be 'Head of the bath mosque'. The most outstanding feature of the mosque is that it was actually built over natural thermal spas; one can even see the steam rising from vents in the ground near the mosque walls. The mosque is famous for its large dome, diameter 15m, and the minaret.

Currently, the Banya Bashi Mosque is the only functioning mosque in Sofia, a remnant of the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria that lasted nearly five centuries, and is used by the city's Muslim community.

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User Reviews

Susanna Palazzi (9 months ago)
I visited the main and largest active mosque in the city of Sofia. The impressive Ottoman-style structure with exquisite details is an unmissable place to discover. I took advantage of a moment with few people to enter and let myself be carried away by the tranquil atmosphere, embracing the harmonious fusion between historical history and spirituality. You can leave your shoes outside, and for women, there are colored scarves to cover their heads.

Jasmin Nedjib (10 months ago)
A small and breathtaking house of god, Banya Bashi Mosque. Very well preserved and taken care of through the years. Even if it’s located in the middle of the busy capital center you can feel the pease.

The Wanderlust Couple “Vanmelle” (10 months ago)
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Turkey is an iconic and historically significant landmark. Its stunning architecture and intricate mosaics are truly impressive. The interior exudes an aura of grandeur and history, offering a unique blend of religious and cultural heritage. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in history and architecture. Visiting month of November is a good idea queue at Sophia Grand Mosque in Turkey is not long at the moment. The pleasant weather at around 19 degrees Celsius must make the visit even more enjoyable. Sophia Grand Mosque is known for its stunning architecture and rich history, we did enjoyed our visit. Must bring: scarf- women and wear proper clothes, shorts are not allowed. Expect heavy traffic on the way to the mosque. Go there early for a hassle free ride.

Kaitlin Maurer (10 months ago)
The only functioning and largest mosque in Sofia, it's beautiful outside and inside. Cover ups are provided at the entrance and the ladies were so sweet. I went with two other moms and our three toddlers, the kids could crawl around and play while we took a break from the heat and asked questions about their religion. A must see place in Sofia.

Jami Karim (11 months ago)
The only Masjid in Sofia. 16th century Ottoman Masjid. Beautiful and very simple interior with intricate tiles. The Masjid has been restored many times. It holds around 300 people.

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