Gjin Aleksi Mosque () is a 15th-century
mosque
A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard.
Originally, mosques were si ...
in the village of
Rusan, near
Delvinë
Delvinë ( or , ) is a town and a municipality in Vlorë County, southern Albania, northeast of Sarandë. It was formed in the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Delvinë and Vergo, which became municipal u ...
,
Albania
Albania ( ; or ), officially the Republic of Albania (), is a country in Southeast Europe. It is located in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea, Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to ...
. It is a
Cultural Monument of Albania
In Albania, a cultural monument () is a construction or work of cultural, historical and artistic value that is built in a visible space, made in memory of important events or prominent people. Cultural monuments are usually under state protection ...
. The mosque is distinguished for the high quality of acoustics that is obtained through casks that are strategically placed in holes in the walls.
Description
The mosque consists of a columned prayer hall with tile-covered domes, a minaret which does not have a roof anymore and a gallery for the muezzin. There is also a gallery for women on the side of the entrance. The hall has a frieze with the
names of God in Islam
Names of God in Islam () are 99 names that each contain Attributes of God in Islam, which are implied by the respective names.
These names usually denote his praise, gratitude, commendation, glorification, magnification, perfect attributes, ...
. Due to walls covered with ceramics, the mosque has good acoustics.
History
Evliya Çelebi
Dervish Mehmed Zillî (25 March 1611 – 1682), known as Evliya Çelebi (), was an Ottoman Empire, Ottoman explorer who travelled through his home country during its cultural zenith as well as neighboring lands. He travelled for over 40 years, rec ...
describes ''Gjin Aleksi'' as a quarter of Delvina. The mosque was likely built in the first half of the 17th century. It seems that later it was turned into a center of the
Bektashi order
Bektashism (, ) is a Sufi order of Islam that evolved in 13th-century western Anatolia and became widespread in the Ottoman Empire. It is named after the ''walī'' "saint" Haji Bektash Veli, with adherents called Bektashis. The Bektashi co ...
. Bektashi babas (clergymen) were originally buried in the hexagonal turrets, one of which direcly saw through the window to the mihrab in the east wall. The turrets serve as classrooms and prayer rooms.
See also
*
Islam in Albania
Islam arrived in Albania mainly during the Ottoman period in the history of Albania, Ottoman period when the majority of Albanians over time converted to Islam under Ottoman Empire, Ottoman rule. Following the Albanian National Awakening , ...
References
Cultural Monuments of Albania
Buildings and structures in Delvinë
Mosques in Vlorë County
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