Arnaudija Mosque

Arnaudija Mosque
Arnaudija džamija
The mosque during its reconstruction, in 2021
Religion
AffiliationSunni Islam
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusMosque
  • (1595–1993)
  • (2024–present)
StatusActive
Location
LocationBanja Luka, Republic of Srpska
CountryBosnia and Herzegovina
Location of the mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Interactive map of Arnaudija Mosque
Coordinates44°46′11.8″N 17°10′54.4″E / 44.769944°N 17.181778°E / 44.769944; 17.181778
Architecture
TypeMosque
Completed
  • 1595 (original)
  • 2024 (rebuild)
DestroyedMay 7, 1993 (during the Bosnian War)
Specifications
Dome1
Minaret1
Official nameArnaudija Mosque
TypeNational Monument
Designated7 July 2003

The Arnaudija Mosque (Bosnian: Arnaudija džamija), is a large mosque in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mosque was destroyed by the Army of Republika Srpska in 1993 but was rebuilt and reopened in 2024.[1][2] In 2003, the Arnaudija Mosque was designated as a National Monument by the Commission to Preserve National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[3]

History

The mosque was built in 1595 under Hasan Defterdar, finance minister of the Eyalet of Bosnia.[2]

The mosque was demolished by explosives on May 7, 1993, by the Serb militia during the Bosnian War. The demolition was organized by the authorities of the Republika Srpska which included the demolition of the entire Arnaudija Mosque complex and Ferhadija Mosque complex that were approximately 800 metres (2,600 ft) distance from each other. Both mosques were destroyed in the same night just within the time frame of 15 minutes.

One of the Serbs leaders from Banja Luka, Radoslav Brđanin was convicted for his part in organizing the ethnic cleansing of the non-Serbs and destruction of the properties of Muslims, including mosques. Radoslav Brđanin was sentenced to a single sentence of 32 years of imprisonment.

The reconstruction of Arnaudija Mosque started in April 2017[4][5][6] and was officially reopened in May 2024.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Banja Luka u Snu". brinkster.com (in Bosnian). Archived from the original on January 20, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2006.
  2. ^ a b c Stojanovic, Milica (May 8, 2024). "Landmark Bosnian War-Demolished Mosque Reopens in Republika Srpska". Balkan Insight. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Arnaudija mosque (site and remains of architectural ensemble)". old.kons.gov.ba. Sarajevo: Commission to preserve national monuments. July 7, 2003. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  4. ^ "Ambasador Turske u BiH obišao radove na banjalučkoj Arnaudiji". arhiv.stav.ba (in Bosnian). October 13, 2020.
  5. ^ "Izvještaj sa gradilišta: Arnaudija u Banja Luci". mojinfo.ba (in Bosnian). April 18, 2021.
  6. ^ "Mjesečni izvještaj: Stanje reizgradnje Arnaudije u Banjaluci". mojinfo.ba (in Bosnian). July 7, 2021.
  • Media related to Arnaudija Mosque at Wikimedia Commons
  • panoramio.com