Veli Mosque
Place: Ioannina, Greece
Chronology: 18th century on the site
of an older 17th century one
According to tradition, the Tsiekour mosque – the later name of the same mosque – was built on the site of the Byzantine church of St. Stephanos. It is first mentioned in sources in the 17th century by the name of Bali mosque, although at the same time the names Bali kethounta mosque or Baliyie mosque were used. It was given its current form, as tradition has it, by the son of Ali pasha, Veli, who had his residence next door. After the liberation it became an army barracks, was handed over to the Ministry of Culture, and afterwards to the Ioannina City Council.
The mosque in the form it survives in today is a characteristic example of a mosque with a small portico. The prayer room consists of the usual square domed room, to the west of which is the closed portico which seems to have been enclosed later, as there is evidence that it was originally open, ending in a series of arches to the west. Its roof consists of three low domes. The base of the low part of the round minaret to the south-west survives. Parts of the marble mihrab are preserved.
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