I've been past the Bayrakli Mosque downtown many times, but never bothered to learn much about it. Here's a paraphrasing of what Wikipedia says:"The Bajrakli Mosque ('bayrak' is Turkish for "flag" ) is located in the Dorcol neighborhood of Belgrade. It was built around 1575, and is the only mosque in the city out of the 273 that had existed during the time of the Ottoman Empire's rule of Serbia.
During the Austrian occupation of Serbia between 1717 and 1739, it was converted into a Roman Catholic church; but after the Ottomans retook Belgrade, it was returned to its original function.
It was damaged after being set on fire on March 18, 2004, during that year's unrest in Kosovo in response to the burning of Serbian churches in Kosovo, but was repaired later."
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15 comments:
Nice. Thanks for the info.
Great historical context. Thanks Bibi!
Such a beautiful scene!
I heard during my recent visit to Belgrade that the search is on for a site to build a larger mosque, given the growing number of worshipers. What have you heard, Bibi?
BTW, nice shot.
So much history, you're so lucky Bibi.
Makes me think of the controversies in US today over building mosques, especially in NYC. When will we ever learn to forget the past? At least the parts that make us less tolerant and forgiving of others and scapegoating the many for the actions of the few.
Thanks Bibi for an evocative photo.
A most interesting history and mosque. Looks stunning against the sky.
I've always wondered - the city, as all other European urban centres, was a lot smaller (in terms of both population and surface area) 100, 200 or 300 years ago. Where on earth did they find space for 273 mosques? There must have been one every 10 yards :-)
That's beautiful ..
Lovely. And thanks for the history. I had the same thought as helenmac. There's a big deal now in NYC because they want to build a mosque at Ground Zero. I understand why people might wonder "why there of all places." On the other hand, I hate how intolerant we seem to be. (By the way, John Wilkes Booth was an Episcopalian and it doesn't seem to bother anyone that there's an Episcopal church across the street from Ford's Theater—and also from the White House.)
I like the idea of a building having sheltered more than one religion...
The city I came from there is little neighborhood is called Bayrakli.
That's very interesting! great shot!
The mosque, two years after it's vandalization, has NOT been "repaired"
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/28733/
http://www6.b92.net/news/pics/2009/03/184610803549c0cc361c17d277957106_MidCol.jpg
Doot, indeed it has not been fully repaired. I quoted Wiki, which gave incomplete info. If you go by (not sure where you are,) you will see that repairs/improvements are being made.
If you want more info, you may write me through the email link under my profile.
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