MIRAHORI MOSQUE

Of modest size and elegance, this mosque (Xhamia e Iljaz Mirahorit) is today the oldest monument in the city. Built in 1494 on the site of a Byzantine church, it is dedicated to the local governor Iliaz Hoxha. Considered the founder of the Ottoman Korça after the near destruction of the previous Greek city of Episkopi in 1440, he took the title of mirahor ("high general" of cavalry) after his participation in the capture of Constantinople in 1453. Forming a square of 11.75 m on each side (9.48 m inside), the building corresponds to the classical Ottoman plan with a large copper-covered dome and a porch with three small domes. The 32 m high minaret had lost its upper part during an earthquake in 1961. It was rebuilt in 2008. A new restoration financed by Turkey was completed in 2016. This one allowed in particular to save some frescos inside. It is also on this occasion that was rebuilt the clock tower of the ^eighteenth century located opposite, completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1961. Behind the mosque is a replica of the mausoleum of Iliaz Hoxha probably dating from the ^nineteenth century. The visit of this complex is pleasant, especially when the janitor or the imam is there, since both speak English. But they are so proud of their mosque that they willingly make it the oldest Islamic monument in Albania. The palm actually goes to the White Mosque (in ruins) of the citadel of Berat, built around 1417.