Banya Bashi Mosque is an Islamic temple located in the city of Sofia. The construction was initiated and sponsored by Mullah Efendi Kady Seyfullah, which is why the mosque is sometimes also called "Kady Seyfullah" or "Molla Efendi" (incidentally, the mullah's grave used to be located near the temple). In the arch above the door you can see a stone with an unreadable inscription and the number 974, it is assumed that this is the date of erection - 974 Hijra (1566-1567). It is one of the oldest mosques in Europe. Its name translates into Russian as "many baths" - the building was built over a natural thermal spa. To date, the Banya Bashi Mosque is the only functioning Muslim temple in Sofia.
The main building is quadrangular in shape, crowned by a large dome; in the front part there is a small three-domed annex built in memory of the late wife of Efendi Kady. Above all this rises a high minaret, from which the minister of the temple - muezzin - calls the faithful to prayer.
The mosque is a beautiful example of Ottoman architecture of the XVI century. The walls are built of alternating rows of stones and red bricks. The walls of the prayer hall, arches and columns are made of stone, the main dome is covered with tin plates. During its long history, the temple has gone through several reconstructions and its modern interior was acquired only in the 20s of the XX century, after restoration works financed by the Turkish ambassador to Sofia Fethi Bey. In the middle of the century, after the war, minor renovations were also carried out. In recent decades, the mosque has installed an underfloor heating system with private Turkish and Arab donations.
In its current state, the Banya Başı Mosque is able to accommodate up to 1,200 worshippers for Eid al-Adha or 700 for Friday prayers.
