The ruins of the historic mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina being unearthed
In Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the ruins of the Kalın Hacı Ali Mosque, which was built in 1535 and demolished in 1947, and the graves in its treasury are being unearthed.
Known as one of the oldest mosques in Sarajevo, Kalın Hacı Ali Mosque was demolished in 1947 during the Yugoslavia period for unknown reasons.
After the mosque, which was built in 1535 in the style of classical Ottoman architecture, was demolished, the ruins were covered with soil. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) supported the archaeological works started in 2018 in the area where the remains of the mosque, school (Qur'anic school) and cemetery are located.
The area where the remains of the mosque are located is planned to be opened as an archaeological park after the works. The area will also include visuals and information showing the state of the mosque before it was demolished.
The Administration of Foundations of the Islamic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which continues archaeological work in the area where the mosque and its treasury are located, aims to complete the work in the region soon.
Senaid Zajimovic, Director of the Administration of Foundations of the Islamic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina, told AA correspondent that the building survived until 1947 together with the mosque, school, fountain and other buildings, and that other buildings were built on part of the demolished mosque area.
Zajimovic stated that the buildings built on the site of the mosque were constructed for the People's Army of Yugoslavia and that the officers and their families resided in these buildings.
Zajimovic stated that they are working for the protection of the site and that they want to organise the remains of the mosque and cemetery and open them to visitors.
Stating that there are other demolished buildings such as Kalın Hacı Ali Mosque in Sarajevo, Zajimovic said, "There are many similar buildings in Sarajevo. A total of 30 buildings were demolished after the Ottoman Empire left the region. We want to revitalise these areas, present them to the public and share our rich history and culture with our people."
Work is expected to be completed in August
Architect Narcisa Basic Gakovic and architect Selva Karacevic Kapic are working with the team of architect Narcisa Basic Gakovic and architect Selva Karacevic Kapic on the project to uncover the ruins of the mosque, which, before it was demolished, had one side facing the Miljacka River running through the city.
Gakovic said that they want to establish an archaeological park in the area where they are working.
Stating that the structures belonging to the Ottoman period will be represented in the park in question, Gakovic said, "With our project, we aim to make visitors experience what it was like to live in the Ottoman period and to introduce this sacred area. The works are progressing in a disciplined manner according to our plan."
Gakovic stated that they have been working on the project in the area for 45 days and that they plan to complete the work in August.
More than 20 Ottoman mosques demolished in Sarajevo
It is known that more than 20 Ottoman mosques were demolished or demolished in Sarajevo, except the Kalın Hacı Ali Mosque, which was built 489 years ago.
More than 20 architecturally significant historical mosques were demolished for different reasons during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later Yugoslavia, which ruled after the Ottoman Empire left the region.
After the demolitions, which changed the identity of the city, shopping centres, buildings or hotels were built on the sites of mosques.
AA
