Sofia mosque - Banya Bashi

The Sofia Mosque, known as Banya Bashi Mosque, is the oldest functioning mosque in Bulgaria and one of the city’s most significant religious landmarks. Built in 1576 during the Ottoman period, the mosque was designed by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan. Its name, meaning “Many Baths,” comes from the nearby mineral springs that still flow beneath the building. The mosque features a large central dome, elegant stonework and a slender minaret that rises above the city center. Located next to ancient ruins and modern buildings, Banya Bashi Mosque is a powerful symbol of Sofia’s multicultural history and religious diversity.