Iliaz Bej Mirahori Mosque Korçë

Mosque of iljaz bey... ... (Area)

Iljaz Bey Mirahor Mosque is among the oldest religious buildings in Albania. It dates back to 1494 and is also considered the first mosque built with a dome in the local area. This mosque got its name from the one who is known as the founder of the city of Korça, Iljaz Bey Mirahori. It was built on the foundations of the old church of Shënapremte, together with a number of surrounding buildings such as: the imaret, the bathhouse, the bakery, etc...According to the testimonies that have stood the test of time, people of all religions worked for the construction of the mosque, as well as artisans and craftsmen from all over, as they were all well paid. The mosque of Iljaz Bey Mirahori was distinguished for the mural paintings, the large prayer hall that was covered with a lead-clad dome, as well as for the vestibule opened by an arcade with sharp arches, and covered with three small domes. At the north-western end the stone minaret would rise. At the entrance of the mosque, much later, the inscription in the Ottoman language would be placed. In that, we read: "The founder of this good and useful work, Iljaz Bey Mirahori, built this mosque in the year nine hundred and one" (according to the old calendar Islamic "Hijri"). Mirahori would not stop the good works. The Clock Tower was built in front of the mosque. The mosque of Iljaz Bey Mirahori received the status of "Cultural Monument" in 1948.