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BiH Atlas
Religious SitesFerhat-pašina džamija u Banjoj Luci

Ferhadija Mosque

The Ferhadija Mosque is a monumental structure from the late 16th century, representing the high classical style of Ottoman architecture in Banja Luka. Completely destroyed in 1993, it was rebuilt over 15 years using original stone fragments, reopening in 2016.

National Monument since 2003Republika Srpska
Where
Banja Luka, Banja Luka Region
Built
1579 (16th Century)
Architect
An anonymous disciple of Mimar Sinan
Materials
Stone, Lead

History

Ferhadija was the crowning achievement of Banja Luka’s Ottoman era, featuring an elegant 41-metre minaret and beautiful interior frescoes. Its destruction in 1993 was one of the most tragic losses of cultural heritage in the region. The reconstruction was a monumental task of "anastylosis", placing original stones back into their exact historical positions, supported by detailed architectural drawings.

Key facts

  • ◆Commissioned by Ferhad Pasha Sokolović, the first Beylerbey of Bosnia.
  • ◆Built in 1579 with funds reportedly acquired from the ransom of an Austrian general’s son.
  • ◆Features a complex of three small mausoleums (turbes) containing Ferhad Pasha’s tomb.
  • ◆About 60 percent of the rebuilt mosque is original masonry, recovered from the dumps where the rubble had been taken after the 1993 demolition.
Sources and verification

Checked 2026-09-11: designation year, dates, dimensions and attributions verified; several invented single-year construction dates in the draft were replaced with the documented century.