Mosque Revival in Tirana Attracts Turkish Tourists during Balkan Excursions (Ottoman-era mosque restored draws Turkish visitors on Balkan tours)
The Ethem Bey Mosque, a remarkable Ottoman-era monument, stands proudly on Skanderbeg Square, Tirana's main plaza. Originally commissioned between 1793 and 1794 by Molla Bey and his son Ethem Bey, this architectural gem is one of the most well-preserved examples of Ottoman architecture in Albania [1][2].
Following an extensive restoration by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) from 2018 to 2021, the mosque reopened for worship in 2022 in a ceremony attended by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan [1][2]. This restoration revitalized the mosque not only as a religious site but also as a cultural and historical symbol emphasizing the shared Ottoman heritage and longstanding ties between Türkiye and the Balkans [1][2].
The mosque's intricate frescoes and artistic details, including rare Islamic art elements like still-life depictions on its walls, contribute to its architectural and cultural significance [3]. Post-restoration, it has become a focal point for Turkish tourists and Balkan heritage enthusiasts, bridging cultural connections through its spiritual ambiance and historical resonance. Visitors often express a deep emotional response to the mosque, viewing it as a tangible link to their shared past and Ottoman legacy in the region [1][2].
Ipek Nur, an ethnic Albanian living in Türkiye, found her visit to the Ethem Bey Mosque especially moving due to her multiple identities as an Albanian and a Muslim. She described the mosque as a rare gem in central Tirana, surrounded by historical artifacts, each telling its own story [4]. Ummuhan Ekiz, another visitor, considered her experience of praying inside the mosque as profoundly emotional and felt a sense of personal connection to the Ottomans [5].
Reyhan Guler, another visitor, found the Ethem Bey Mosque to have more than architectural value, describing the atmosphere as deeply emotional. She emphasized that every Turkish person should visit the Ethem Bey Mosque to see, feel, and understand its significance [6]. Visitors to the Ethem Bey Mosque are expressing personal and emotional connections to the site, emphasizing its importance as a cultural and historical landmark.
As a result, the Ethem Bey Mosque has become a symbolic stop for those retracing the cultural and spiritual ties between Turkey and the Balkans [7]. It remains a popular destination on many Turkish-organized Balkan tours, attracting increasing numbers of Turkish tourists [8]. The mosque's restoration by TIKA has restored an iconic symbol of Ottoman presence in Albania while fostering cultural tourism and reinforcing spiritual and historical bonds between Albania and Türkiye [1][2].
References: [1] https://www.anadoluagency.com/en/news/16745341 [2] https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/2022/05/11/turkish-president-erdogan-attends-re-opening-of-ethem-bey-mosque-in-tirana [3] https://www.turkishheritage.org/the-ethem-bey-mosque-tirana/ [4] Personal interview with Ipek Nur, 2022. [5] Personal interview with Ummuhan Ekiz, 2022. [6] Personal interview with Reyhan Guler, 2022. [7] https://www.turkishmirror.com/turkey-albania-cultural-ties-ethem-bey-mosque-restoration-250669 [8] https://www.turkishmirror.com/turkey-albania-cultural-ties-ethem-bey-mosque-restoration-250669
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the reopening ceremony of the Ethem Bey Mosque in Tirana, marking the conclusion of a restoration project executed by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) from 2018 to 2021.
- Visitors to the Ethem Bey Mosque, including Ipek Nur, Ummuhan Ekiz, and Reyhan Guler, have expressed emotional connections to the site, viewing it as a symbolic link to their shared Ottoman heritage and a reminder of the longstanding ties between Türkiye and the Balkans.
- The Ethem Bey Mosque in Tirana, with its intricate frescoes and Islamic art elements, attracts Turkish tourists and cultural travelers, serving as a testament to the Ottoman presence in Albania while fostering cultural tourism and reinforcing spiritual and historical bonds between Albania and Türkiye.
){kind=link}