Dzhumaya Mosque
Dzhumaya Mosque
- Dzhumaya Mosque – A Historic Ottoman Landmark in Bulgaria. The Dzhumaya Mosque, also known as The Friday Musjid, is one of the oldest and most significant Ottoman-era religious sites in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It is also referred to by its Turkish names Hüdavendigâr Camii or Cuma Camii.
- The musjid stands at the heart of Plovdiv and was originally built in 1363–1364, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of the city. It was constructed on the site of the former Sveta Petka Tarnovska Cathedral Church, symbolizing the transformation of Plovdiv into an Ottoman stronghold.
- During the 15th century, under the rule of Sultan Murad I, the initial structure was demolished and replaced with the present-day musjid. It was then renamed Ulu Dzhumaya Musjid, meaning the Main Friday Musjid, reflecting its importance as the city’s primary place of worship.
- The musjid is remarkably large, featuring a 33m × 27m (108 ft × 89 ft) prayer hall crowned by nine domes. Its minaret, located at the northeastern corner, rises elegantly above the main façade. The interior showcases intricate wall paintings, dating back to the late 18th to early 19th centuries, adding a unique artistic touch to its Ottoman-style architecture.
- As one of Plovdiv’s oldest Islamic landmarks, the musjid continues to function as an active place of worship while attracting historians and tourists alike.