Emperor's Mosque

Careva dzamija

This is the oldest mosque in Sarajevo, the first one to be built in 1457 after the Ottomans occupied the city. It is the largest single-subdome mosque in the country, constructed under supervision of Isaković-Hranušić who dedicated it to sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. It was destroyed at the end of the 15th century but rebuilt in 1565 and dedicated this time to Suleyman the Magnificent. The mosque was damaged again in the Second World War and during the 1992-95 Civil War, and restoration work on the painted decorations and interior are still pending. The adjacent cemetery hosts the graves of many former city viziers, mullahs, muftis, sheikhs and other prominent historical figures of Sarajevo. There is also a café inside the walls. The mosque is open to Muslims and non-Muslims, but a visiting woman must cover her hair and wear long skirt or dress within the mosque.

• history

Address

Obala Isa-bega Ishakovića

Getting there

on the south bank of the river

Website

beautifulmosque.com (opens in a new tab)