Historical and Architectural Monuments
THE OLD MOSQUE
Komotini
The Old Mosque in Komotini, which is located directly in the city center, was constructed in 1608 according to the first architectural style of the Ottoman Empire and renovated in 1854. It has a tomb covered with red tiles, and a minaret with two balconies. The indoor decorations, which were destroyed during the Balkan War in 1912, were re-constructed in 2002 with ceramic from Kutahya, Turkey.
Although the rest of the historical public fountain on the right side of the mosque is still existent, instead of preserving it in its original state by restoring, a complete new one was constructed. Today, it stands completely hidden behind the new public fountain.
THE MOSQUE OF YUNUS BEY
Komotini
The Mosque of Yunus Bey, of which construction date and sponsor is not known, is located on the Posti-Pos (Pos-Pos) street in Komotini, and except its outer walls, totally destroyed today.
The Bridge of Hamidiye
Xanthi
The Hamidiye Bridge is located at the three kilometres on the wayside of Xanthi-Stavrupolis way above Samakov stream. The bridge with white hewn stones was built in 1901. With four pedestals and three arcs, the bridge has a 10 or 11 meters height and 5 meters width.
However, today the bridge has only two arcs and a concrete block built in place of the third arc. And there used to be a crescent and star marble on the middle arc of the bridge. However, the crescent and star at the pedestals of the Hamidiye Bridge is dig and filled up with plaster in various times by some racist groups.
THE IMARET OF GAZI EVRENOS BEY
Komotini
The imarets were charity places established to serve free food to the poor, madrasah students and to others at the Ottoman Empire. According to Busbeca, these were big buildings, of which doors were open to all; no matter they were Muslim, Christian or Jewish. The Imaret of Gazi Evrenos Bey in Komotini was founded by Gazi Evrenos Bey, who was one of the most successful Ottoman commanders. He acquired a considerable amount of wealth and founded numerous endowments, among these this imaret in Komotini. Today, the Imaret of Gazi Evrenos Bey has been turned into church museum.
The Ottoman inscription on the front wall of the imaret does not exist any more. Now, there is a Hellenistic sculpture head on the same place.
THE MOSQUE OF SELVILI
Komotini
The Mosque of Selvili, which is one of the Ottoman monuments in Komotini, is totally destroyed today. What left over are its ruined minaret and an old grave.
The Xanthi Clock Tower
Xanthi
The Xanthi Clock Tower in the main square of the city with its noble presence is a great historic building inherited from the Ottoman Empire. This historical clock tower was built in 1870 by Hacı (Hadji) Emin Aga. The height of the clock tower is between 14 and 16 meters, and the clock is still working. This historical monument, which satisfies the need of society and stresses the importance of time, is a valuable artifact that symbolized the existence of Turkish-Islamic art in Xanthi.
The Municipality of Xanthi decided to destroy this historical monument in 1972, because it represented the Turkish art and civilization. Thanks to the sensitive reaction of the Turkish Minority, the Governor of Xanthi intervened in and the destruction of the monument was postponed. However, its marble sign in Arabic letters, crescent and star on the tower were broken and dashed into pieces. The mosque next to the clock tower was pulled down and removed by the local administration. Today, the clock tower still stand as the central square of Xanthi Prefecture and attracts many visitors.
THE Yenice Mustafa Pasha Mosque
Xanthi
The Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Xanthi is a historical artefact which succeeded to survive till today. The mosque in the village of Yenice, Xanthi, which restored in 1873 when ruined in fire, is in a heart-rending situation with its lonely minaret which is used to be a home for birds.
The mosque, which is not allowed to be restored for years, lies in ruins today. Therefore its interior design is in a critical situation and it is no longer in use. The poster and flags of the petrol station next to the mosque is placed on the walls of the mosque.
THE TOMB OF POSPOS
Komotini
One of the most important historical and architectural monuments of the Ottoman Empire in today’s Greece is the tombs. From these tombs, the Tomb of Pospos is located in Komotini.
Like many other Ottoman monuments in Greece, it has been neglected, and left to be ruined.
THE Kütüklü Baba Lodge
Xanthi
It is a magnificent historic building located inside a farm in the Kereviz (Selino) village, in Yenice. This fascinating lodge includes two sections with two domes. The architectural structure of the lodge is an example of the 16th century Turkish-Islamic architecture. A 500 meter away from the Kereviz village in the west, the lodge has a hexagonal structure with 12 meters height in a 30 square meters area. Under the main dome, there is the place, where a holy man is believed to be buried.
The marble of the lodge is broken and dashed into pieces. Today, the lodge is being repaired and restored.
THE KAYALI MOSQUE
Komotini
The Kayali Mosque and Madrasah in Komotini were constructed in the 18th century by Haci Zekeriya Efendi, a madrasah teacher from Istanbul. Today, they are both quite decrepit, and needed to be restored.
