Remains of Ottoman mosque in Sarajevo being unearthed
The remains of the Kalin Hacı Ali Mosque, built in 1535 and demolished in 1947 in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the graves in its cemetery, are being brought to light.
AA
Known as one of the oldest mosques in Sarajevo, the Kalin Hacı Ali Mosque was demolished for unknown reasons in 1947 during the Yugoslavia era.
After the mosque, which was built in 1535 in the classical Ottoman architectural style, was demolished, its remains were covered with soil. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) also supported the archaeological work initiated in 2018 in the area containing the remains of the mosque, the mekteb (Quran school), and the cemetery.
It is planned that the area where the mosque's remains are located will be opened as an archaeological park following the completion of the work. The site will also feature visuals and information showing the state of the mosque before it was demolished.
The Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is conducting the archaeological work in the area, aims to finish the work in the region soon.
STOOD UNTIL 1947
Senaid Zajimovic, Director of the Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that the structure, along with the mosque, mekteb, fountain, and other buildings, stood until 1947, and that other buildings were constructed on a portion of the demolished mosque site.
Stating that the buildings constructed on the mosque site were built for the Yugoslav People's Army, Zajimovic noted that officers and their families resided in the buildings there.
Expressing that they are carrying out work to protect the area, Zajimovic noted that they want to organize the mosque and cemetery remains and open them to visitors.
Stating that there are other structures in Sarajevo that were demolished like the Kalin Hacı Ali Mosque, Zajimovic said, "There are many similar structures in Sarajevo. A total of 30 structures were demolished after the Ottoman Empire left the region. We want to revitalize these areas, present them to the public, and share our rich history and culture with our people."
Architect Narcisa Basic Gakovic and architect Selva Karacevic Kapic are working with their team on the project to unearth the remains of the mosque, one side of which faced the Miljacka River passing through the city before it was demolished.
In addition to the Kalin Hacı Ali Mosque, which was built 489 years ago in Sarajevo, it is known that more than 20 Ottoman mosques have been destroyed or demolished.
More than 20 historical mosques, which are architecturally significant, were demolished for various reasons during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which ruled after the Ottoman Empire left the region, and the subsequent Yugoslavia period.
After the demolitions that changed the identity of the city, shopping malls, buildings, or hotels were constructed on the lands of the mosques.