Karadjoz-Beg Mosque, Mostar
The Karadjoz-Beg Mosque is one of the most significant Ottoman-era landmarks in Mostar, built in 1557. Its prominent dome and tall minaret make it stand out in the city鈥檚 skyline, and it is widely regarded as the largest mosque in the Mostar region. The site reflects layers of early religious history in Mostar, although the often-repeated claim that it was built directly over the Church of Saint Stephen is not firmly substantiated.
An Arabic inscription on the mosque鈥檚 cornerstone states that it was commissioned by Mehmed Bey, son of Abu al-Sadat. Some historians suggest he may have been related to Grand Vizier R眉stem Pasha, although records of this family connection are unclear and remain a subject of scholarly discussion. What is certain, however, is recorded in the inscription itself鈥攓uite literally set in stone.
The mosque鈥檚 design is linked to the architectural school of Mimar Sinan, the chief imperial architect of the Ottoman Empire, whose influence shaped many of the finest mosques of the 16th century. While it is unlikely Sinan personally designed the mosque, its composition reflects the style of his workshop. The layout follows a classical Ottoman plan: a single-domed prayer hall, fronted by a double portico. The inner portico carries three small domes supported by four slender marble columns, while the outer portico rests on octagonal pillars, creating a refined threshold from courtyard to interior.
The main dome sits atop an eight-sided drum pierced with windows and pointed arches that allow soft daylight to filter into the prayer hall. The mosque sustained damage during World War II, and again in the 1993 conflict, but a comprehensive restoration鈥攃ompleted in July 2004鈥攃arefully returned it to its 16th-century character.
Today, the Karag枚z Bey Mosque remains a cornerstone of Mostar鈥檚 spiritual and architectural heritage, admired for its balanced proportions, cultural importance, and lasting presence.
An Arabic inscription on the mosque鈥檚 cornerstone states that it was commissioned by Mehmed Bey, son of Abu al-Sadat. Some historians suggest he may have been related to Grand Vizier R眉stem Pasha, although records of this family connection are unclear and remain a subject of scholarly discussion. What is certain, however, is recorded in the inscription itself鈥攓uite literally set in stone.
The mosque鈥檚 design is linked to the architectural school of Mimar Sinan, the chief imperial architect of the Ottoman Empire, whose influence shaped many of the finest mosques of the 16th century. While it is unlikely Sinan personally designed the mosque, its composition reflects the style of his workshop. The layout follows a classical Ottoman plan: a single-domed prayer hall, fronted by a double portico. The inner portico carries three small domes supported by four slender marble columns, while the outer portico rests on octagonal pillars, creating a refined threshold from courtyard to interior.
The main dome sits atop an eight-sided drum pierced with windows and pointed arches that allow soft daylight to filter into the prayer hall. The mosque sustained damage during World War II, and again in the 1993 conflict, but a comprehensive restoration鈥攃ompleted in July 2004鈥攃arefully returned it to its 16th-century character.
Today, the Karag枚z Bey Mosque remains a cornerstone of Mostar鈥檚 spiritual and architectural heritage, admired for its balanced proportions, cultural importance, and lasting presence.
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Karadjoz-Beg Mosque on Map
Sight Name: Karadjoz-Beg Mosque
Sight Location: Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina (See walking tours in Mostar)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina (See walking tours in Mostar)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Create Your Own Walk in Mostar
Creating your own self-guided walk in Mostar is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Mostar Introduction Walking Tour
The name Mostar comes from the Slavic word most, meaning 鈥渂ridge.鈥� During the Ottoman period, the men who guarded the crossing over the Neretva River were called mostari, meaning 鈥渂ridge keepers.鈥� Their title eventually gave the city its name.
People have lived in the Neretva valley since prehistoric times, and traces of Roman presence can still be found nearby. The first written... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
People have lived in the Neretva valley since prehistoric times, and traces of Roman presence can still be found nearby. The first written... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Bosnian War Tour
After the fall of Yugoslavia, there followed civil wars of particular savagery. In Bosnia, there were two distinct struggles. The first involved Serbs against Croats and Bosnians. The alliance of Croats and Bosnians proved effective, and the Serbs were repulsed. The Croats were mainly Christian, and the Bosnians were Muslim. There was antipathy between them.
The second part of the war was the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
The second part of the war was the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles