Tour the Mosque of Sinan Pasha in 360

Prizren's Mosque of Sinan Pasha, built in 1615, as shown through Kallxo’s 360-degree video technology.

The Mosque of Sinan Pasha in Prizren was built in 1615 by Sofi Sinan Pasha, an important Ottoman administrative official. Walking up the stone stairs to its portik (entrance area) can be seen two Mihrabs, with another in the south-eastern section of the mosque itself. This and its square design layout makes the Mosque of Sinan Pasha particularly unique in comparison to others in Kosovo.

There are a number of other interesting exterior features across the Mosque. It was constructed using carved limestone and mudstone, with the minaret built using stiga, or pumice stone.

The hayat, or lobby located in the entrance of the mosque, has three domes, attached to circular stone columns. The largest dome, which covers the entirety of the mosque, has a diameter of over 43 meters.  

There have been three different phases of mural artwork added to the mosque over the last 500 years. The first two sets of murals belong to the 16th and 17th centuries, which both follow the fresco-secco style. The third was added in the 19th century and was completed in the Baroque style, designed with dominantly blue features.

Across from the stone stairs leading to the portik, in the northern section of the mosque lies a stone used for ablution and other public purposes.

The Mosque of Sinan Pasha played a fundamental role during both the Balkan Wars and the First World War. It was used as a warehouse for munitions for both the Bulgarian and Serbian armies, and was closed in 1912.

In 1919 the mosque, and particularly its hayat, faced serious damage and was not opened again. It was placed under protection in 1967, and finally by 2011, was opened again for use.  

*Please choose closed captions to view the video in English.

23/11/2017 - 21:19

23 November 2017 - 21:19

Prishtina Insight is a digital and print magazine published by BIRN Kosovo, an independent, non-governmental organisation. To find out more about the organization please visit the official website. Copyright © 2016 BIRN Kosovo.