BANYA BASHI MOSQUE – SOFIA’S OTTOMAN HERITAGE

#hellochristmas Right in the heart of Sofia stands the Banya Bashi Mosque, a beautiful 16th-century Ottoman mosque built during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Its name comes from the nearby mineral baths, and you can still see steam rising from vents around the mosque today. The architecture is striking, with a single elegant minaret, a spacious dome, and classic Ottoman design elements. Inside, the mosque feels calm and serene — it’s the only functioning mosque in Sofia, serving as an important spiritual space for Muslims in Bulgaria. A meaningful stop for anyone exploring the city’s cultural and historical layers.