Husein-paša's Mosque () is a well-known

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 ...

Pljevlja Pljevlja (, ) is a town located in the Northern Montenegro, Northern Region of Montenegro, situated along Ćehotina, Ćehotina river. The town lies at an altitude of . In the Middle Ages, Pljevlja had been a crossroad of the important commercial ...

Montenegro , image_flag = Flag of Montenegro.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Montenegro.svg , coa_size = 80 , national_motto = , national_anthem = () , image_map = Europe-Mont ...

. It was built between 1573 and 1594. It was named after Husein-paša Boljanić who was born in the village of

Boljanići Boljanići () is a small village in the municipality of Pljevlja, Montenegro. It was historically known as Bolehnići (). Demographics According to the 2003 census, the village had a population of 60 people, 48,33% declaring as Serbs and 46,66% as ...

, which is close to Pljevlja. It has one of the highest minarets in the

Balkans The Balkans ( , ), corresponding partially with the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throug ...

. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful sacral monuments of

Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...

ic architecture in Montenegro.

Design

The mosque has a square basis above which there rises a low-pitched dome set on a cubiform pedestal. An open porch covered with three small domes was formed in front of the main façade. A minaret was added close to the southern side. After it being struck by lightning in 1911, it was rebuilt into a slimmer and higher one, which is now the highest minaret in the Balkans.

Interior

The interior of the mosque and the porch are decorated with rich, in polychrome painted ornaments with floral motifs and quotations from

Quran The Quran, also Romanization, romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a Waḥy, revelation directly from God in Islam, God (''Allah, Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which ...

. Mihrab, mimber and mahvil abound in ornaments made in stalactites and in customary Turkish perforations.

Sources

* Historical Lexicon of Montenegro, Book 3, - "Daily News-Press",Podgorica 2006. Mosques in Montenegro Pljevlja Ottoman mosques in Europe Ottoman architecture in Montenegro Mosque buildings with minarets in Europe Mosque buildings with domes in Europe {{Montenegro-struct-stub