Corridor: Via Pontica
Country: Bulgaria, Shoumen
Type: Islamic religious centre
Epoch: Modern Times
Theme: Islamic Culture
World Heritage:

He mosque is situated in the center of a large religious and theological complex, built by Sheriff Halil Pasha during the period from 1740 to 1744. Four courtyards with various functions and shape encircle the mosque from all sides. From the front northern courtyard could be accessed the main entrance of the mosque and the largest western courtyard. It is encircled with three walls with arched galleries, behind which are the 12 square rooms of the religious school (medresse). On the second floor above the school is situated the library. In the center of the courtyard is a big fountain in the shape of pavilion with arcades and dome. In the eastern courtyard is the primary school (mekteb), while in the southern courtyard –a small graveyard.
The mosque has a square plan in it slower part, octagonal – in the middle and round in the upper part covered by the dome. The dome is 25m high and the minaret is 40m high. The interior of the hall is richly decorated with wall paintings – vegetation and geometrical ornaments and quotations from Koran in Arab language. In the decorative system of the mosque could be noted the characteristics of the so-called “Turkish Baroque”.
The mosque is active Muslim temple.

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