Oldest mosque in the Balkans

Oldest mosque in the Balkans

One of the oldest mosques in the Balkans in the village Mlike, Kosovo.

The mosque was built in 1289th the Gregorian calendar (688th Sefer AH) and reconstructed (expanded) by Ahmet aga 1822nd the Gregorian calendar (1238th AH). This fact proves the memorial plaque that was written in Arabic. The mosque was built by Muslims before the arrival of the Turks in the Balkans, for the caravans that went to Dubrovnik and other coastal towns.In the courtyard of the mosque is a cemetery with tombstones.

There are two graves, soldiers from Syria, and in this place several times a built turbe, but always falling down (during the day it was built by the villagers and at night turbe just collapsed, and after several such attempts villagers to abandon the building).

Tombstone with Star of David

Tombstone with Star of David, Mlike mosque

Tombstone with Star of David

Photo credits: Malik5.
  • Malik5
Freelance Photographer

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Vahidmujagic

May 06, 2023

Some of Jews in 17 century converted to Islam ... They followed Saint Abi Sabetay and they moved in area of the Balkans:"Ulcin town  Monte Negro,Kosovo,Albania,Bosnia and Macedonia" .. My Grandpa came from Macedonia as one of them/Dervish ...I continuelly holding same tradition (keeping Oath) 

Malik5

November 30, 2016

@Gmargittai
Yes, it's true. Muslims and Jews once lived in harmony.

Gmargittai

November 30, 2016

It is really telling that the tombstone with the Star of David is found so close to Islamic relics. During the golden age of Islam Jews and Muslims lived peacefully for hundreds of years.