The Namazgah Mosque, also called the Great Mosque of Tirana (Xhamia e Namazgjasë), opened in October 2024 and is the largest mosque in the Balkans. It stands across from the Albanian Parliament, with four 50-meter minarets and a 30-meter central dome, and visitors are welcome outside prayer times.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Where | Rruga George W. Bush, next to Parliament and Tanners’ Bridge (Google Maps) |
| Opened | 10 October 2024 |
| Capacity | About 8,000 inside, 10,000 including the courtyard |
| Price | Free |
| Time needed | 20–30 minutes |
History
Tirana waited a long time for this mosque. Under communism, religion was banned and most of the city’s mosques were destroyed; when worship was allowed again in the early 1990s, the small Et’hem Bej Mosque in Skanderbeg Square couldn’t cope with the crowds. A foundation stone for a new central mosque was laid in 1992, but construction only started in 2015, largely funded by Turkey’s religious affairs directorate, and the mosque was finally inaugurated in 2024.
The design follows classical Ottoman mosques, with a large courtyard, white stone, and a bright interior decorated with calligraphy and marble. The building also includes a cultural center and library. It sits on a 10,000-square-meter plot, with room for about 8,000 worshippers inside and another 2,000 in the courtyard. The project had a budget of around €30 million, and at the opening ceremony on 10 October 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama both gave speeches. The name Namazgah comes from the Ottoman term for an open-air prayer ground.
Visiting tips
- Shoulders and knees must be covered. Robes and headscarves are usually provided for visitors who need them.
- Men and women use separate entrances; shoes go on the shelves outside.
- There’s underground parking beneath the mosque if you’re driving.
The 18th-century Tanners’ Bridge is right across the road, and Tirana Castle is a five-minute walk away.
FAQ
Is the Namazgah Mosque the largest mosque in the Balkans?
Yes, with room for about 10,000 worshippers it’s the largest in the Balkans.
Can non-Muslims visit the Great Mosque of Tirana?
Yes, as long as you dress modestly. Keep in mind this is an active place of worship.
