Banya Bashi Mosque

Banja Bashi Mosque is a magnificent building built on the initiative of the benefactor Efendi Kada Seifullah in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is one of the oldest mosques in Europe and was completed in 1567. The name of the building is associated with the expression “Bath of Bashi”, which literally translates as “many baths”. The peculiarity of the mosque is that it is built over a natural thermal resort. You can see how the steam passes through the fans installed at the base of the walls of the building. The Banya Bashi Mosque is also known for its large dome and minaret. It is currently the only one operating in the city.

Banya Bashi Mosque is a unique architectural creation that reflects the specifics of Ottoman architecture of the 16th century. The building was built of brick and stone by the great architect Sinan. At the corners of the mosque are small towers. The walls and arches of the prayer hall are made of hewn stone, and the columns are made of solid stone and have a beautiful matte color. The arch above the front door is also made of stone and the central dome is covered with thin tin plates. Every year this building attracts many tourists and pilgrims from all over the world.