Mustafa Pasha Mosque - Skopje, Macedonia

Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Skopje, Macedonia was built in 1492 by Mustafa Pasha, a high ranking individual under Sultan Bajazit II (who ruled from 1481 to 1512) and a vizier under Sultan Selim I (who ruled from 1512 to 1520).  It overlooks the old bazaar of Skopje and is very close to the Kale Fortress. It remains much as it was when originally built. It is the most important religious monument in Macedonia from the time of the Ottoman Empire. 

Mustafa Pasha mosque viewed from the vicinity of Kale Fortress.

Mustafa Pasha mosque viewed from the other side in the bazaar.

Viewed from the back.

Viewed from the front - even further up the hill.

Kale Fortress - viewed from near the bazaar.

In front of the mosque is an open portico with four marble pillars forming three pointed arches and covered by three small domes. 

Pointed arches and domes in the portico. A fountain is in the foreground.

Domes in the portico with large dome behind.

Underside of a portico dome.

Closer view of portico dome.

Entrance door to mosque. Shoes must be left outside.

Detail of mosque door. Open and unattended in the evening. 

Sign above the door.

The facade of the mosque has alternating rows of limestone and two rows of brick. The minaret is made of limestone a little more white than the stone in the mosque itself. 

Alternating limestone and brick construction.

Judy at the base of a periphery wall.

Mustafa Pasha died in 1519 and he is buried in the turbe (mausoleum) on the north side of the mosque along with his daughter. The turbe has six sides and a dome.

Turbe or mausoleum.

Inside it is simple and beautiful with light green carpet under the giant dome. 

Mirhab and minbar to its right.

Closer look at mirhab.

Chandelier, round and similar to those we saw in Orthodox churches. 

View into the dome.

Closer view of center of dome.

Decoration off the dome.

More decoration off the dome.

More detail.

Different layers of detail under the dome.

The carpet and its decoration.

Another mihrab? I don't remember if this was inside or outside. I like the feather like detail around the edges.