Turkish travelers flock to the reinstated Ottoman mosque in Tirana during their Balkan excursions
In the heart of Tirana, Albania, stands a beacon of shared history and culture - the Ethem Bey Mosque. For Turkish tourists, this Ottoman-era monument is more than just a historical site; it's a symbol of a shared cultural and historical heritage between Albania and Turkey.
Completed in the early 19th century by Haxhi Ethem Bey, a descendant of Sulejman Pasha, the mosque is an artistic masterpiece reflecting Ottoman art and craftsmanship. Its intricate frescoes and Ottoman architecture have made it a popular destination for history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados alike.
The restoration of this significant Islamic heritage site was undertaken by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) between 2018 and 2021. This cultural and diplomatic gesture strengthens ties between Turkey and Albania, enabling the mosque to function again as a place of worship and a tourist attraction that reflects Ottoman influences.
The Ethem Bey Mosque, built between 1793 and 1794, is a prominent survivor of Ottoman rule in Albania. After being closed during Albania’s communist period, it reopened in 1991, reflecting the revival of religious freedom and heritage preservation. Today, it attracts numerous visitors daily, including Turkish tourists who often respect traditional mosque etiquette.
The mosque is now a symbolic stop for those retracing the cultural and spiritual ties between Turkey and the Balkans. Visitors like Ipek Nur, an ethnic Albanian living in Turkey, find the mosque particularly moving due to their multiple identities. Ummuhan Ekiz, another visitor, described her experience as deeply personal and emotionally profound, wishing to see Ottoman relics and find praying inside the mosque to be a profoundly emotional moment.
The Ethem Bey Mosque is located on Skanderbeg Square, Tirana's central plaza, and is featured on the route of many Turkish-organized Balkan tours. Ummuhan Ekiz encouraged others to make the journey to Ethem Bey Mosque not only to witness the architecture but also to "take ownership of our history."
The preservation of the Ethem Bey Mosque appeals to history enthusiasts and contributes to tourism, cultural diplomacy, and historical education. The reopening ceremony of the mosque was attended by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, further emphasising its importance.
For Reyhan Guler, a visitor, the Ethem Bey Mosque has more value than just architectural. She found it to be a site of emotional and cultural resonance for those seeking to reconnect with Ottoman heritage in the region. The mosque, she believes, is a rare gem in central Tirana, surrounded by historical artifacts, each telling its own story.
As the Ethem Bey Mosque reopens for worship in 2022, it continues to serve as a testament to the shared history between Turkey and Albania, and a reminder of the Ottoman legacy in the Balkans. It's a place where history, culture, and personal experiences intertwine, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the region's rich past.
- Ipek Nur, an ethnic Albanian living in Turkey, finds the Ethem Bey Mosque particularly moving due to their multiple identities, reflecting the cultural ties between Turkey and the region.
- The reopening ceremony of the mosque was attended by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, further emphasizing its importance in the shared history between Turkey and Albania.
- The Ethem Bey Mosque, a popular destination for history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados, is located in Tirana's central plaza and is featured on the route of many Turkish-organized Balkan travel tours.
- Ummuhan Ekiz, another visitor, described her experience as deeply personal and emotionally profound, wishing to see Ottoman relics and find praying inside the mosque to be a profoundly emotional moment, highlighting the significance of the mosque in the Turkish lifestyle and economy.
