Et'hem Bey Mosque
Tiranë
The Et'hem Bey Mosque, located in the heart of Tirana, Albania, is a significant Sunni mosque famous for its beautiful frescoes portraying trees, waterfalls, and bridges both inside and on the portico. Construction began in the late 18th century by Molla Bey and was completed in the early 19th century by his son Haxhi Ethem Bey, a descendant of Sulejman Pasha. Architecturally, the mosque features a square prayer hall covered by a semi-spherical dome without windows, surrounded by a portico and a minaret. The frescoes include imaginative landscapes and a depiction of the Süleymaniye Mosque, symbolizing a cultural connection to Ottoman heritage. Closed during Albania's communist regime, the mosque reopened in 1991 in a landmark event marking the return of religious freedom, when thousands gathered peacefully despite official opposition. Today, it remains a vital religious and cultural monument, often visited alongside the nearby Clock Tower of Tirana. Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering, and guided tours are available outside prayer times. The mosque stands as a testament to Tirana's historical urban fabric and the resilience of faith and tradition in Albania.
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Tip: Visitors should plan their visit outside of prayer times to join guided tours and appreciate the mosque's frescoes fully. The best time to visit is during daylight hours to see the detailed paintings clearly. It is advisable to respect local customs by removing shoes before entering and dressing modestly. Tickets may not be required, but checking local information beforehand is recommended. Early arrival can help avoid crowds, especially during weekends or religious holidays.
Interesting facts
- •The mosque's frescoes depict imaginary nature scenes including trees, waterfalls, and bridges, which is unusual for Islamic religious art.
- •The interior paintings include a depiction of the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, symbolizing Ottoman influence.
- •During communist rule, the mosque was closed but preserved as a cultural monument, unlike many other religious buildings.
- •The 1991 reopening of the mosque was a key event in the end of religious repression in Albania, with thousands attending despite official bans.
History
Construction of the Et'hem Bey Mosque started around 1791-1794 by Molla Bey and was finished between 1819 and 1823 by his son Haxhi Ethem Bey.
It was part of the historical center of Tirana, surrounded by other significant buildings like the old Bazaar and Sulejman Pasha Mosque.
During the communist era in Albania, the mosque was closed but declared a historical monument and underwent restoration in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The mosque's reopening in 1991, attended by 10,000 people despite government opposition, marked a pivotal moment in Albania's religious freedom restoration.
Place Guide
Prayer HallEarly 19th century
The main square prayer hall is covered by a semi-spherical dome without windows, featuring intricate frescoes inside depicting natural and imaginary landscapes, including the Süleymaniye Mosque.
PorticoEarly 19th century
The portico surrounds the north and east sides of the mosque, decorated with numerous frescoes of landscapes such as islands, rivers, and boats, creating a serene ambiance.
MinaretEarly 19th century
Located to the right of the prayer hall, the minaret has a rectangular base transitioning to a polygonal pyramid shape topped by a balcony (kazan) for the call to prayer, accessed by a spiral stone staircase.
