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Cultural Heritage in Kosovo

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Cultural Heritage in Kosovo Bayrakli Mosque (Al-FƗti Mosque), Peü/Pejë The mosque was probably built in the second half of the 15th century by Sultan Mehmet al-Fatih and was subsequently restored and reconstructed. It has recently been renovated with Italian funds. It is known by the inhabitants under the name of Bayrakli (“The Flag Holder”) Mosque. It was burnt in June 1999. North Entrance Portico eastern façade Ayverdi - Ottoman Architectural Works in Europe, 1981 (2003) Description The mosque consists of the praying hall and the portico. The latter is composed of three compartments covered by shallow dome with pendentives in the corners, resting on circular arches carried by stone pillars. The square praying hall is about 12 x 12m, 13m high and the wall thickness is about 1.25m . The mezzanine is about 2m from the floor level. The stone segmental arched entrance leads to the praying hall. Coloured painted squinch and spandrels (2003) On each side of the lower cubic structure, four windows in two rows are arranged. In the upper part of the wall, a circular arched window is in the middle. The transition from the square plan to the circular plan of the upper dome is created by squinches in the corners. From outside the dome is octagonal. In the lower zone of the dome there are eight small circular arched windows. From inside the mosque is plastered and decorated with different floral patterns. The mezzanine floor is supported by short columns with small circular arches. Mihrab, Minbar and Dome Ayverdi - Ottoman Architectural Works in Europe, 1981 77 The arch spandrels are richly decorated. From side the walls are plastered and painted. The roofs are covered by new lead sheets. Dome apex decorated with painted floral patterns Decorated spandrels with floral patterns (2003) (2003) Bayrakli Mosque -Dome decorated with Bayrakli Mosque - Stone Minbar painted medallions with floral patterns (2003) (2003) 78 The minaret probably belongs to an early mosque as the level of the minaret entrance is about 1m lower than the level of the mosque’s flooring; excavations made by the Italian company that did the restoration work showed an elder flooring. The lower part of the minaret is constructed of alternative courses only. The first storey ends by a circular balcony. The second short storey is ended by the traditional conical structure covered with lead. The cost of the recent restoration can be considered as a base for the estimation costs of other similar buildings. Bayrakli Mosque-Entrance,engraved stone Bayrakli Mosque – Main entrance (2003) (2003) Bayrakli Mosque – Podium Bayrakli Mosque – Podium Ayverdi - Ottoman Architectural Works in Europe, (2003) 1981 79 Hadum (Khadim) Mosque, Djakovica/Yakova The Mosque was founded by Khadim Agha and was probably built in the late 16th century. In the city, the Hadum Mosque is the only one with a dome. It is situated in the old market quarter and was a part of a unique architectural ensemble consisting of a high school, a primary school and a library. This ensemble was completely destroyed in 1999. Description The mosque consists of the portico and the praying hall. The portico is composed of three compartments covered with shallow domes and carried by pointed arches. These are made of bricks and rest on columns. Capitals are well cut stalactites. The semi- circular entrance is in the middle of the portico rear wall. To the right and to the left there is a rectangular window. North Portico- entrance (2003) The rear wall of the Mosque is plastered and decorated with vegetal convolutions and arabesques. Each window has an iron lattice. North Eastern Façade (2003) South East façade (2003) The praying hall has a square plan of 12,3 x 12,3 m. It is about 12,5m high and is covered by a dome supported on squinches carried on engaged pillars. The walls and pillars are built of well dressed ashlar stone with fine joints. 80 colored painted decoration on Qibla wall with the mihrƗb Mosque plan the dome transition zone (2003) niche (2003) The interior of the mosque is plastered and overwhelmed by coloured painting decorations with vegetal convolutions and arabesques; stylised flowers in vases are all over the area of the dome, arches and framing the windows. The arch spandrels as well as the middle surface of the squinches are decorated with medallions filled with calligraphies (God’s appeals). The locations of the engaged pillars are emphasized by special painted floral motives. In the middle of the Qibla wall is the deep recessed pointed mihrab; to the right of it stands the wood decorated minbar. In the lower part of the other walls there are two windows with iron lattice and decorated wooden and glass shutters. In the upper part of the wall, in the middle between the two rectangular windows, there is a pointed window with a rest of gypsum lattice in geometric and floral patterns with glass shutters. A Qur’an fires (sure 2, verse 255) separates the lower cubic structure from the dome which has no windows in the lower part. Interior of the Mosque – Minbar (2003) 81 The minaret has a square stool at the height of the mosque; the upper part of the cubic stool is tapered to adjust with circular high first storey, which ends with the circular balcony. The second circular storey with the conical ending has been fallen down in 1999. Present condition Dampness, caused by water rain infiltration and surface water, has caused the detachment of plaster in the dome Minaret (2003) internal surface as well as in the internal wall surfaces of the praying hall. Rusted iron lattice as well as salt efflorescence had caused stone deterioration. The stones also show chemical and physical weathering. Recommended measures The intradox of the lintels of the lower windows need restoration. Wooden shutters and wooden flooring of the podium need repair works. The flooring of the portico needs to be completed and conserved. The stones should be desalinated and consolidated. Measures should be taken to prevent the rising dampness by capillary action and to prevent the detachment of the painted plaster. This unique building needs an accurate photogrammetric documentation and visual drawings of stone deterioration. A long- term maintenance program is recommended. Estimated costs € 285.000 for architectural documentation, structure assessment, diagnostic study and conservation work. 82 Hadum (Khadim) Mosque Hadum (Khadim) Mosque, Entrance Bashkësia Islame e Kosovës -Pristinë 2000 Porch Bashkësia Islame e Kosovës -Pristinë 2000 Hadum (Khadim) Mosque Hadum (Khadim) Mosque Entrance Porch and Minaret (2003) North – East Façade (2003) 83 Hadum (Khadim) Mosque, Hadum (Khadim) Mosque, Coloured Squinch decorated with floral pattern decoration on the engaged pillar (2003) (2003) Hadum (Khadim) Mosque Sulaiman al-‘Afri, God may forgive him, Date of restoration 1260H./1844 AD (2003) 84 Hadum (Khadim) Mosque, Stone deterioration, Fine joints, well dressed ashlar stone; Bad plastic repair (2003) Hadum (Khadim) Mosque, Stone deterioration-Pitting (2003) 85 JasƗr (YašƗr) Pasha Mosque, Priština According to the inscription inside the mosque, the building was founded by YashƗr Mehmet PƗshƗ in 1250 H./1834 A.D. He was a citizen of Priština and in 1842 A.D. governor of Skopje (Askop) Description The mosque consists of two parts: 1.The portico, which was demolished by expanding the road in front of the mosque, and replaced by the new, inclined wooden portico supported by wooden column. JašƗr Mosque plan 2.The praying hall (10.50m x 10.50m), covered by Ayverdi - Ottoman Architectural Works in a dome with pendentives in the corners resting Europe, 1981 on the external bearing walls. The mihrƗb is located in the qibla wall in axis of the square plan and has a stalactites hood. Each wall of the lower cubic structure has two windows with a small one in upper part of the cubic structure. Above the mihrƗb and in its axis a decorative blind window is placed, with Solomon’s seal and the Tughra of the Sultan Mahmud II. The internal wall surface is covered with plaster. Windows are framed with decorated floral band.From outside, the dome octagonal drum is pierced with eight small circular arched windows.The dome is covered by lead sheets. The mosque still preserves its original window iron lattice and its wooden window The Tughra of the Sultan shutters. Mahmud II above the MihrƗb (2003) JašƗr Mosque, MihrƗb & Minbar JašƗr Mosque, Dikka Ayverdi - Ottoman Architectural Works in Europe, Ayverdi - Ottoman Architectural Works in Europe, 1981 1981 86 The minaret stands on the right side of the portico and consists of a stool and a high circular storey ending with a balcony. It is followed with a circular short storey, crowned by the typical Ottoman conical end covered by lead sheets. Present condition There are some cracks in the pendentive area of the building. The lead dome covering is cracked and causes Mosque and surroundings (2003) dampness by rain infiltration through the roof. Crack in the dome transition zone (2003) Stone deterioration – Salt efflorescence(2003) The dampness in the building is also caused by capillary action. The iron bars laid in the dome drum should be checked (rust damage). Recommended measures Architectural documentation, structural studies (seismic study) as well as cracks monitoring should be provided before doing any restoration works. Estimated costs € 223.000 for architectural documentation, structure assessment, diagnostic study and restoration works. 87 JašƗr Pasha Mosque, North East façade JašƗr Pasha Mosque, MihrƗb detail (2003) (2003) JašƗr Pasha Mosque (2003) 88 JašƗr Pasha Mosque, painting (left of the JašƗr Pasha Mosque, decoration above the mihrƗb) (2003) mihrƗb with Sultan’s Tughra (2003) JašƗr Pasha Mosque, historic inscription above the mihrƗb (2003) 89 Mosque, Deçan/Deþani The mosque was built at the end of 15th century and has been lying partly ruined since 1998.
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