Bajrakli Mosque

Bajrakli Mosque is the only surviving mosque in Belgrade, Serbia, standing in the Dorćol part of Stari Grad on Gospodar Jevremova street. It was built in the 1660s during Ottoman rule, and the name means banner mosque, because a flag was raised from it to call Muslims to prayer when the Ottoman garrison was present. After the Ottoman withdrawal the building was repaired and kept as a place of worship, and it remains an active mosque of the Islamic community of Serbia. The structure is a modest single-domed mosque with a pointed minaret, built of stone and brick and set within a small walled courtyard with a fountain for ablutions. Its simple form contrasts with the Orthodox churches and Central European buildings elsewhere in the old town, making it a quiet reminder of the city's Ottoman layer. Visitors can view the exterior and courtyard, and the interior may be seen when it is open, usually with permission and outside prayer times. A visit takes 15 to 30 minutes, and it fits well into a walk through Dorćol toward Kalemegdan. Shoes are removed inside, and women are asked to cover their hair and everyone should dress modestly. The best photo angle is the minaret and dome seen from the street corner, and the courtyard in morning light. Crowds are absent, with the busiest moments being Friday midday prayers, when visitors should avoid entering. Because opening arrangements vary, it is wise to check locally before going and to ask permission before taking photographs inside.