Šarena Mosque: An Ottoman-Era Mosque in Tetovo
Site at a Glance
- Country
- North Macedonia
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval, Modern
- Civilizations
- Ottoman
- Site type
- Religious
- Remains
- Mosque
On this page7 sections
History
Foundation and nineteenth-century rebuilding
Šarena Mosque is an Ottoman-era mosque in Tetovo, North Macedonia, built in 1438. Its architect was Isak Bey; bey was an honorific used for officials and other notable men. Two sisters from Tetovo, Hurshida and Mensure, funded its construction, unlike most mosques of the period, which were financed by sultans or senior officials.
In 1833, Abdurrahman Pasha, a high-ranking Ottoman official, rebuilt and enlarged the mosque. He also commissioned artists from Debar to decorate it.
Modern alterations and continued use
In 1991, Tetovo’s Islamic community built an enclosing wall around the mosque in a classical Ottoman style. The exterior paintings were renewed in 2010, and the façade was restored in 2011. The mosque remains in active use.
Remains
Mosque building and interior
Beside the Pena River, the mosque is built of natural stone and measures about 10 by 10 metres. It has one minaret, a tower associated with a mosque and traditionally used for the call to prayer. Inside, it has a women’s section and a mihrab, a prayer niche. Its ceiling is also a distinct feature.
Painted decoration
The painted designs combine bright floral and geometric patterns with landscape scenes. Artists from Debar applied them in oil, and more than 30,000 eggs were used to prepare the paint and glaze. One painting depicts Mecca, Islam’s holiest city and a major pilgrimage destination. The view is a rare, possibly unique, southeastern European depiction of a sanctuary associated with Muhammad.
Courtyard and associated complex
The courtyard contains a flower garden, a fountain, and an octagonal mausoleum. Hurshida and Mensure, who funded the mosque’s construction, are buried in the mausoleum. The wider complex also included an inn, while an associated Turkish bath stood across the river.
