Valide Mosque, Mytilene

Valide Mosque
The Valide Mosque in 2015
Religion
AffiliationIslam
RegionNorth Aegean
Year consecrated1615
Location
LocationVintsentzou Kornarou Street, Mytilene
MunicipalityMytilene
CountryGreece
Valide Mosque, Mytilene is located in Greece
Valide Mosque, Mytilene
Shown within Greece
Geographic coordinates39°06′42.8″N 26°33′15.0″E / 39.111889°N 26.554167°E / 39.111889; 26.554167
Architecture
StyleOttoman architecture

The Valide Mosque (Greek: Βαλιδέ Τζαμί, from Turkish: Valide Camii, lit. 'Mosque of the Valide Sultan') is a historical mosque in Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos in Greece.

Description

The mosque is located in the old Turkish quarter of the city, Epano Skala.[1] According to its founder's inscription above its entrance, it was built in 1615, making it one of the oldest mosques in the island.[1]

It is built of stone masonry, and comprises a single level, with a pitched roof. A stone-paved courtyard once existed with a marble fountain, accessed through a marble staircase. The interior decoration was in coloured frescos, which were covered by a dark colour after the Muslim population left the island. The c. 6 metres (20 ft) high mihrab featured stucco decoration.[1] The Arabic-style minaret is constructed from red stone quarried in Ayvalık, and is almost entirely preserved apart from a portion of its top.[2]

The building and its minaret were designated as protected monuments by the Greek Ministry of Culture in 1981, but have not been restored.[2] In early 2018, 1.2 million euros were designated for restoration work of the building, under the supervision of the Lesbos Ephorate of Antiquities.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Loupou, Athina-Christina. "Βαλιδέ Τζαμί Μυτιλήνης" (in Greek). Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Αναστήλωση του Βαλιδέ Τζαμί, του παλαιότερου οθωμανικού τεμένους στην Μυτιλήνη" (in Greek). Kathimerini. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.