Red Mosque, Berat
| Red Mosque | |
|---|---|
Xhamia e Kuqe | |
The former mosque minaret in 2012 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam (former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Mosque (15th century–YYYY) |
| Status | Inactive (ruinous state) |
| Location | |
| Location | Berat Castle, Berat |
| Country | Albania |
Location of the former mosque in Albania | |
Interactive map of Red Mosque | |
| Coordinates | 40°42′26″N 19°56′45″E / 40.7073°N 19.9457°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Islamic architecture |
| Style | Ottoman |
| Founder | Bayazid II |
| Completed | c. 15th century |
| Materials | Red bricks; limestone |
| Official name | Red Mosque |
| Designated | 1961 |
| Part of | Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër |
| Reference no. | BR461 |
Interactive map of Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër | |
| Official name | Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër |
| Criteria | Cultural: iii, iv |
| Reference | 569 |
| Inscription | 2005 (29th Session) |
| Extensions | 2008 |
| [1] | |
The Red Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Kuqe, Turkish: Kırmızı Cami), also known as the Conquest Mosque,[1] is a former mosque in a ruinous state, located in Berat Castle, Berat, Albania. The former mosque was designated as a Cultural Monument of Albania in 1961;[2] and forms part of the Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was designated in 2005.
History
According to Ottoman explorer, Evliya Çelebi (1611–1682), the former mosque was built under the reign of Bayazid II.[3] It was probably built in the 15th century and was one of the oldest mosques in the country. It was most likely 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 former mosque was used by caravans crossing the continent, and later by the Ottoman army.[4]
Description
The former mosque was located just outside the citadel, within the Berat Castle. The 9.9-by-9.1-metre (32 by 30 ft) mosque was built with red bricks, hence its name, and limestone, with a timber roof. The minaret is unusually on the left of entrance. The cylindrical part on its top is unique in Islamic culture.[4] Inside, a small circular staircase gives access to the top for a 360° view of the castle and the city.[5]
Gallery
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Staircase inside the minaret
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Aerial view of the citadel with the minaret in the foreground
See also
References
- ^ a b "Red Mosque, Berat". Cultural Inventory. June 15, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ "Religious buildings with the "Culture Monument" status". Republic of Albania National Committee for Culture. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ Çelebi, Evliya (1670). "Evliya Chelebi: Seyahatname - a Journey to Berat and Elbasan". Albanianhistory.com. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ a b "The Red Mosque". Beratkulture.org. January 22, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
- ^ "Berat Castle". Albaniantourist.com. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
External links
Media related to Red Mosque, Berat at Wikimedia Commons