Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque

The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque at Sarači 18 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is the largest historic mosque in the country and one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in the Balkans. Built in the 1530s and named after the governor who funded it, it is the centrepiece of the Baščaršija quarter, just two minutes' walk from Sebilj Square. The building has a large central dome with semi-domes, a tall pencil-shaped minaret, and a shaded courtyard with a šadrvan, a domed ablution fountain used for ritual washing before prayer. Inside, the prayer hall is decorated with painted patterns, calligraphy and carpets, and light enters through many windows. Next to the mosque stand the clock tower, the Sahat-kula, and the historic library and madrasa complex associated with the same endowment, forming one of the main monument clusters of the old town. Visitors may enter outside prayer times, for a small fee of around BAM 5, and must dress modestly, remove shoes and speak quietly. Women are asked to cover their hair, and scarves are sometimes provided. A visit takes about 30 minutes, longer for those who want to look at the courtyard, the fountain and the neighbouring buildings. The best time is the morning, before groups arrive and when the courtyard is calm. Midday and afternoon see more tour parties, and visits are suspended at the five daily prayer times, particularly around the busy Friday midday prayer. The mosque is still an active religious site, so visitors should avoid disturbing worshippers. The surrounding street, Sarači, is lined with shops and cafés, which makes a convenient follow-up for coffee. Together with the Latin Bridge, Baščaršija and the Vijećnica, it forms an easy walking route through the heart of Sarajevo.