Cultural Corridors of South East Europe

Heritage by Country / Serbia

Novi Pazar - Islamic Architecture

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Novi Pazar - Islamic Architecture

About the site


Corridor: Diagonal Road
Country: Serbia, Novi Pazar
Type: Islamic religious centre, Vernacular Architecture
Epoch: Middle Ages
Theme: Islamic Culture
World Heritage:
Middle AgesIslamic CultureIslamic religious centreVernacular Architecture

Novi Pazar, a town established nearly six centuries ago, located at the route that connected Adriatic coast with Thessalonica and Istanbul (Costantinopolis) was a one of the leading centres of trade and crafts in this part of South-Eastern Europe. There is an evidence that in 17th century there were even 1 110 workshops and 23 mosques. Modern living conditions seriously endangered the previous urban structure of Novi Pazar. Nevertheless, it is the most exciting oriental historic town in Serbia.
Today, there are 17 preserved historic mosques, together with Altun Alem Mosque, certainly the most beautiful among them. The Altun Alem Mosque is characterized by a single dome and by a porch covered with two domes, closed on the right side by a stone wall from which the Minaret is accessible. The architecture, rather unusual for the region, is closely related to the Islamic architecture of Turkey. The maktab originates in the first half of the 16th century and represents a rare and valuable cultural-educational building.
Council of Europe, RPSEE
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