Et'hem Bey Mosque, Tirana (must see)
The Hajji Et'hem Bey Mosque, usually shortened to Et'hem Bey Mosque, is a mosque in the center of Tirana. Facing Skanderbeg Square, the mosque functions both as a religious building and a historical, cultural treasure to the city.
The mosque was built from 1791 through 1821. Construction began under Molla Bey of Petrela who died before the building was complete. Construction continued under Molla Bey's son, Haxhi Ethem Bey. At that time, it was part of a building complex that included the Sulejman Pasha Mosque, the Karapici Mosque and the Old Bazaar.
Some of the more unique features of Et'hem Bey Mosque are the frescoes located on the exterior of the building and in the portico. These frescoes have themes that are rarely found in Islamic art. Trees, waterfalls and bridges are featured within the ornate paintings, which are easily viewed on the mosque's northern wall.
It was closed during communist rule but reopened in 1991 shortly before communism fell in the country. Today, visitors may take enter the mosque for prayer service or they may take one of the daily tours.
The mosque was built from 1791 through 1821. Construction began under Molla Bey of Petrela who died before the building was complete. Construction continued under Molla Bey's son, Haxhi Ethem Bey. At that time, it was part of a building complex that included the Sulejman Pasha Mosque, the Karapici Mosque and the Old Bazaar.
Some of the more unique features of Et'hem Bey Mosque are the frescoes located on the exterior of the building and in the portico. These frescoes have themes that are rarely found in Islamic art. Trees, waterfalls and bridges are featured within the ornate paintings, which are easily viewed on the mosque's northern wall.
It was closed during communist rule but reopened in 1991 shortly before communism fell in the country. Today, visitors may take enter the mosque for prayer service or they may take one of the daily tours.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tirana. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Et'hem Bey Mosque on Map
Sight Name: Et'hem Bey Mosque
Sight Location: Tirana, Albania (See walking tours in Tirana)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tirana, Albania (See walking tours in Tirana)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tirana, Albania
Create Your Own Walk in Tirana
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tirana is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tirana Introduction Walking Tour
Tirana is Albania's largest city. It is also the country's center of culture and government. Though the city itself was founded by the Ottomans in 1614, its history goes back to earlier times.
The Romans settled in the area that would become Tirana in the 3rd century. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I built a castle that has some remnants left for tourists to see today. Tirana Castle,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
The Romans settled in the area that would become Tirana in the 3rd century. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I built a castle that has some remnants left for tourists to see today. Tirana Castle,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Communist Heritage Sites
The people of Albania lived in a Communist state from 1976 through 1992. The country was ruled by one party, the Party of Labor of Albania. Dictator Enver Hoxha held power over the country and established a Stalinist-style of administration.
Citizens were oppressed by the secret police, known as the Sigurimi. They would spy on anyone who they believed to be an enemy of the state. Those who were... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Citizens were oppressed by the secret police, known as the Sigurimi. They would spy on anyone who they believed to be an enemy of the state. Those who were... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles