Xhamia e Kuqe (Red Mosque)

Xhamia e Kuqe in the city of Berat is one of the oldest and most important mosques still preserved in this city. Although it is now in ruins, it shows an important architectural and historical asset.

This mosque is located in a certain place where the prayer hall is preserved in ruins. In front of the prayer hall is the hall of almost the same width. The minaret, built on the left side of the mosque, stands out from other mosques due to its placement, conditioned by the presence of the surrounding walls.

Among the factors that make the Xhamia e Kuqe remarkable are its architectural features and the rare shape of the minaret. Its minaret has a cylindrical body shape without faces, a rare characteristic in minaret architecture. This architectural behavior of the minaret is a special element that distinguishes it from other mosques.

The construction technique used for the wall of the mosque is known as clausonnage, a technique which used stones cut into regular and invisible shapes, creating a perfect and stable surface. This type of construction shows a special attention to detail and a deep knowledge of traditional construction techniques.

Regarding the date of construction of the mosque, it is difficult to determine precisely. However, from the construction technique and its location, it is thought that it was built at the beginning of the 15th century. Historically, the mosque has served as a place of prayer for the caravans that came from east to west and later it has succeeded the role of the Turkish garrison in this historic city. The Red Mosque is an important testimony of the history and culture of Berat.