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A landmark Ottoman-era mosque in the heart of Tirana, the capital of Albania, is attracting increasing numbers of Turkish tourists following its restoration by Türkiye’s state aid agency.
The Ethem Bey Mosque, originally built in the late 18th century, has become a symbolic stop for those retracing the cultural and spiritual ties between Türkiye and the Balkans.
Commissioned between 1793 and 1794 by Molla Bey and his son Ethem Bey, the mosque stands as one of the most prominent architectural survivors of Ottoman rule in Albania.
The restoration was undertaken by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) between 2018 and 2021. It reopened for worship in 2022 with a ceremony attended by Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Located on Skanderbeg Square, Tirana’s central plaza, Ethem Bey Mosque now features on the route of many Turkish-organized Balkan tours. Its preservation not only appeals to history enthusiasts but also serves as a site of emotional and cultural resonance for those seeking to reconnect with Ottoman heritage in the region.
Among the visitors, Reyhan Guler expressed how moved she felt during her visit, noting that the mosque holds more than architectural value. “There’s so much of our cultural heritage and history here.
The atmosphere is deeply emotional,” she said, emphasizing that the mosque allowed her to sense the lasting presence of the Ottomans across the Balkans. “Every Turkish person should come here to see, feel, and understand this place,” she added.
Fellow visitor Ummuhan Ekiz also described the experience as deeply personal. Having long wished to see Ottoman relics firsthand, she said that praying inside the mosque was a profoundly emotional moment.
“It felt as though a part of me was already here, waiting to be found,” she explained. She encouraged others to make the journey, not only to witness the architecture but also to “take ownership of our history.”
For Ipek Nur, an ethnic Albanian living in Türkiye, the visit carried particular significance.
“I am Albanian, I live in Türkiye, and I am Muslim,” she shared, reflecting on the layers of identity that made her trip to Ethem Bey Mosque especially moving. She described the mosque as a rare gem in central Tirana, surrounded by historical artifacts, each telling its own story.
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