The Reconstruction of Bakrbaba Mosque in Sarajevo

This National Monument consists of the archaeological site of the remains of the Bakrbaba mosque, medresa, mekteb and harem, and movable heritage found on the archaeological site.

In 1544 Hajji-Alija Bakrbaba built a mosque in the western part of Atmejdan (Sarajevo), with a harem and mekteb to the west. The earliest reference to the mosque in written sources dates from 1565. It was damaged by fire on two occasions, first in 1697 and again in the early 18th century; on both occasions it was rebuilt.

In 1741/42, Hajji Ismail Misrija built a medresa next to the harem, consisting of a dershana (classroom) and ten rooms for pupils. Abdulah-efendi Kantamirija built a library across the street from the medresa and Bakrbaba’s mosque, very close to the Ćumurija Bridge. A significant educational and curtural centre developed around the mosque and its harem, which flourished in the 18th century.

After the introduction of Austro-Hungarian rule in 1878, the mosque was turned into a military depot and later in 1895 demolished, together with its minaret. Bakrbaba’s mekteb was destroyed in 1895 and Kantamirija’s library was demolished in 1897 in the course of the regulation of the left side of the river. Misrija’s medresa survived until the beginning of World War II.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered parts of the mosque, medresa, burial ground, path and walls of the harem.

With this reconstruction Sarajevo will once again have the Bakrbaba mosque.

Photo by Kenan Šurković for Islamic Arts Magazine
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