Kebir Mehmed Çelebi Mosque, Skopje: An Ottoman Mosque in North Macedonia
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.7
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- North Macedonia
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Ottoman
- Site type
- Religious
- Remains
- Mosque
On this page6 sections
History
Kebir Mehmed Çelebi Mosque is an Ottoman mosque in Skopje, North Macedonia, completed in 1469 in the Ottoman architectural tradition, which combined Islamic religious planning with regional building practices. Its stone entrance plaque gives the construction date as 4 Muharram 874 AH, corresponding to 14 July 1469. The mosque was founded by Kebir Mehmed Çelebi, an Ottoman notable and the son of Ishak Bey. He was also the grandson of Yigit Pasha, an Ottoman military commander identified as the conqueror of Skopje.
Religious administration
The mosque is affiliated with the Skopje Muftiate, an administrative district of a Muslim religious authority headed by a mufti, and with Sunni Islam.
Earthquake damage and restoration
The 1963 Skopje earthquake damaged the mosque. Restoration took place in 2016 with financial support from Turkey and followed the building’s original appearance. The mosque is protected as cultural heritage and is listed as a cultural monument of Macedonia.
Remains
Mosque building
The mosque stands in central Skopje, north of the Vardar River and beside the campus of the university in Skopje. It is an Ottoman-style building with a single minaret. The stone plaque above the entrance preserves the date of completion, while the 2016 work restored the building in keeping with its earlier appearance.
Shadirvan
The mosque’s shadirvan, a fountain traditionally used for ablution in or near a mosque courtyard, was restored in 2016. Its form follows the period style because information about the original structure’s appearance has not survived.
