Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia

Banya Bashi Mosque (Banya Bashi Jamia) is the only active Sunni mosque in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The mosque is located in the city center, a short walk from Serdika metro station. Nearby are several significant buildings: the former Turkish mineral baths, the Central Market Hall, the Central Department Store, and the Sofia Synagogue. The pedestrian boulevard Vitosha can be reached within ten minutes on foot.

History and Architecture

• The mosque was built in 1566–1567 during the Ottoman period, attributed to the architect Mimar Sinan.
• It was commissioned in memory of the wife of Mullah Kada Seifullah Efendi.
• The building stands on a natural thermal spring, which gave it its name: “Banya Bashi” comes from Turkish and roughly means “by the baths” (literally “head of the bath”). A fountain with hot mineral water is located between the mosque and the former baths.
• Constructed of stone and red bricks, the mosque can accommodate up to 1,200 worshippers.

Present Day

Entrance to Banya Bashi Mosque is free. Visitors may view the restored interior prayer hall, which continues to serve religious functions. As a functioning mosque, it is also an important cultural and historical monument of Sofia.

Additional Information

Today, the mosque is part of the city’s multicultural landscape. Alongside Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and Catholic sites, it represents the diverse religious traditions that coexisted in Sofia over centuries. Its continued use makes it both a religious institution and a reminder of the Ottoman heritage in Bulgaria.