The Recep Pasha Mosque is a historic Ottoman mosque, one of seven mosques within the old fortress city of Rhodes. As of 2022, it is not open for worship or to the public due to its poor condition.
In 1522, Rhodes came under the rule of the Ottoman Turks, after which several mosques were built, while others were built by converting existing Christian churches in the city. The construction of the Recep Pasha Mosque, located in the modern Dorieos Square in Rhodes City, was commissioned by Recep Pasha, the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, in 1588, as evidenced by an inscription directly above its entrance. Two other structures were built next to the mosque: the Recep Pasha Mausoleum, located in the courtyard of the mosque, which houses his sarcophagus, and the ablution fountain.
Left neglected for many years to a near-ruinous state, part of the mosque's portico collapsed in 2011. The cost of the renovation was estimated at three million euros, which was deemed too expensive, and the renovation work was stopped due to lack of resources. A budget of one million was approved. There were suggestions and calls that the mosque should be a museum of Islamic art after the restoration.
The Recep Pasha Mosque complex—mosque, fountain, and mausoleum—was built in the imperial style of the Ottoman Golden Age, possibly by an architect from the school of the master architect Mimar Sinan.
Externally, when viewed from the side, there are three levels of cornice lines, each outlined by simple moldings; the windows are articulated by carved arches, ornate at the lower levels but straight at the top around the dome. The subtle transition from the 16-sided drum to the round dome is manifested by a polygonal cornice around its apex. More elaborate decoration is found only at the base of the now ruined minaret and around the central door.
The surface decoration of the mosque's interior includes 16th-century Iznik tiled panels with verses from the Quran in delicate calligraphy. Above the windows are also painted panels with floral decoration in the colors and motifs of Iznik wares. The building incorporates monolithic columns from earlier Christian structures. Above the door is a dedicatory inscription by Recep Pasha, expressing the well-founded desire that the space "inspire the elevation of the spirit. "
The octagonal ritual fountain, located to the west of the mosque, is well preserved. Covered in wild vegetation, on the eastern side, is the turbe or mausoleum of Recep Pasha - its windows are decorated with interlaced voussoirs, typical of high Ottoman architecture.
Despite its extremely poor condition, it has been described as the most beautiful and architecturally impressive of the mosques in Rhodes.
In 1522, Rhodes came under the rule of the Ottoman Turks, after which several mosques were built, while others were built by converting existing Christian churches in the city. The construction of the Recep Pasha Mosque, located in the modern Dorieos Square in Rhodes City, was commissioned by Recep Pasha, the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, in 1588, as evidenced by an inscription directly above its entrance. Two other structures were built next to the mosque: the Recep Pasha Mausoleum, located in the courtyard of the mosque, which houses his sarcophagus, and the ablution fountain.
Left neglected for many years to a near-ruinous state, part of the mosque's portico collapsed in 2011. The cost of the renovation was estimated at three million euros, which was deemed too expensive, and the renovation work was stopped due to lack of resources. A budget of one million was approved. There were suggestions and calls that the mosque should be a museum of Islamic art after the restoration.
The Recep Pasha Mosque complex—mosque, fountain, and mausoleum—was built in the imperial style of the Ottoman Golden Age, possibly by an architect from the school of the master architect Mimar Sinan.
Externally, when viewed from the side, there are three levels of cornice lines, each outlined by simple moldings; the windows are articulated by carved arches, ornate at the lower levels but straight at the top around the dome. The subtle transition from the 16-sided drum to the round dome is manifested by a polygonal cornice around its apex. More elaborate decoration is found only at the base of the now ruined minaret and around the central door.
The surface decoration of the mosque's interior includes 16th-century Iznik tiled panels with verses from the Quran in delicate calligraphy. Above the windows are also painted panels with floral decoration in the colors and motifs of Iznik wares. The building incorporates monolithic columns from earlier Christian structures. Above the door is a dedicatory inscription by Recep Pasha, expressing the well-founded desire that the space "inspire the elevation of the spirit. "
The octagonal ritual fountain, located to the west of the mosque, is well preserved. Covered in wild vegetation, on the eastern side, is the turbe or mausoleum of Recep Pasha - its windows are decorated with interlaced voussoirs, typical of high Ottoman architecture.
Despite its extremely poor condition, it has been described as the most beautiful and architecturally impressive of the mosques in Rhodes.
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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