Lesvos Yeni Mosque

mosques are important for the Muslim and for the rest of people as well, since in addition to their religious importance, they are also interesting from the point of view of their awesome architecture style.

A remarkable fact is that those worship places used to be open-air venues, around the 7th century, and have evolved into the elaborate mosques of today, with beautiful domes, prayer halls, and minarets. Although they are of an Arabian origin, there are mosques in all inhabited continents, and that includes Greece, in Europe.

Mytilini, as the capital of the North Aegena isle of Lesvos, keeps several architectural treasures from old times. Not only are tourists allowed to visit them, but they also can learn more about those buildings in the various museums in the city. Doing that usually enlightens some visitors who think that the classical Greek period is the sole exponent of art manifestations, and forget that the History of Lesvos can be traced back to prehistoric times, as the recent archaeological evidence states.

Thus, although Grece was never a Muslim country, it is no surprise that a place like Yeni Tzami Mosque is found in Mytiline in an area where there used to be a Turkish market - known as Epano Skala in our days. Built by following the traditional cruciform shape without any aisles, it was constructed in the first years of the 19th century by Naziri Moustafa Aga Koulaxizi. Its structure is quite well preserved, and travellers can visit its interior area, with an upper floor on the Northern side and also see the remains of a beautiful mural representing solemn religious scenes.

Apart from being the newest Islamic temple in Mytilini - refurbished in the year 2000 - the mosque is the venue of different cultural events, such as exhibitions of the works of local artists, especially in the Summer. There are also some visual and musical productions, which are one of the main points of interest for tourists who, apart from admiring the mosque itself, get enriched by those additional art manifestations in the place. The imposing stone building is well preserved, and has been declared a legally protected monument by the 14th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities.

This relic of the Otoman Empire is frequented by tourists from all over the world and by autochthonous Greek Muslims who consider themselves Turk and reside mainly in Thrace, where they are allowed to stay according to the terms stated by Lausane Treaty signed in 1923.

Receiving the visit of thousands of travellers per year has a positive impact on Mytilini's economy. Tourism has broadened the job possibilities of the locals and has allowed them to stay on the island instead of emigrating off to mainland in their search for employment. However, the fact that the place receives so many people annually presents certain drawbacks, and there is an increasing need for safeguarding measures for both Mytilini's natural an architecture treasures.




Photo by: www.lesvos-safaritours.com