Mosque of Pasha Qasim
Baranya
The Mosque of Pasha Qasim, officially known as the Gyertyaszentelő Boldogasszony-templom, is located in the heart of Pécs, Hungary. Originally a Christian church, it was converted into a mosque in the mid-16th century during Ottoman rule and is considered the northernmost intact mosque from that era in Europe. The mosque features a distinctive Turkish dome resting on an octagonal drum and is oriented towards Mecca, with characteristic ogee windows. Its minaret, once part of the complex, was partially destroyed and removed in the 18th century. After the Ottoman period, the building was transformed into a Catholic church with Baroque and Rococo interior elements. The mosque's architecture reflects a blend of medieval Christian and Ottoman Islamic influences, making it a unique historical monument. It remains a key symbol of Pécs and is actively used for religious services today. Visitors can appreciate the visible Ottoman decorations and the structural adaptations made over centuries, highlighting the cultural layers embedded in the building.
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Astuce: Visitors should plan their visit outside of regular Catholic mass times to fully appreciate the architecture and history. The best time to visit is during weekdays when the church is accessible for sightseeing. Advance ticket purchase is typically not required as it functions as an active church. Nearby attractions in Pécs can complement the visit. No specific discounts are noted, but checking local tourism offices for combined ticket offers is advisable.
Faits intéressants
- •It is the northernmost intact Ottoman mosque in Europe.
- •The mosque was built on the site of an earlier medieval Christian church.
- •Evliya Çelebi, a famous Ottoman traveler, praised the mosque in the 1660s.
- •Two Turkish ablution basins from a nearby Ottoman bath were incorporated into the church as holy water fonts.
- •The mosque's orientation is towards Mecca, which is unusual compared to the city's street grid.
- •The minaret was partially destroyed in 1766 and subsequently removed.
- •The mosque's interior features visible Ottoman decorations and Quranic inscriptions beneath later Christian additions.
Histoire
The original building on the site was a medieval Christian church, likely begun in the early 13th century.
After the Ottoman conquest in the 16th century, the church was demolished and rebuilt as a mosque in the 1560s, financed reportedly by treasures found on site.
It served as a mosque during Ottoman rule and was noted by traveler Evliya Çelebi in the 1660s.
Following the Ottoman retreat, the mosque was converted back into a Catholic church in the early 18th century, with significant Baroque and Rococo modifications.
The minaret was partially destroyed and removed in 1766.
The building has since been maintained as a religious and historical monument, reflecting its layered past.
Guide du lieu
Main Prayer Hall1560s
The central square area covered by a dome, originally used for congregational prayers during Ottoman times. It features visible Ottoman decorative plasterwork and inscriptions beneath the later Christian modifications.
Minaret Site16th century - 1766
The location where the mosque's minaret once stood on the southwest side, partially built into the medieval church's foundations. The minaret was partially destroyed in 1766 and later removed.
Ottoman Ablution Basins16th century
Two stone basins originally used for ritual washing (ablutions) in the adjacent Ottoman bath, now repurposed as holy water fonts in the church's sacristy.
Contact
Téléphone: 06 30 373 8900