The Mosque of Jakovali Hassan Pasha, Pecs (must see)

The Mosque of Jakovali Hassan Pasha is the most complete and best-preserved Ottoman-era mosque in Hungary, standing as a testament to the region's Turkish past. Built in the late 16th or early 17th century during the Ottoman occupation, the mosque was commissioned by Yakovalı Hasan Pasa, an Ottoman governor known for his military campaigns and administrative role in Pecs. Unlike other mosques in Hungary, which were either demolished or heavily modified, this one retains both its original structure and its minaret, making it a rare survivor of Ottoman architecture in Central Europe.

Following the Austrian conquest of Pecs in 1686, the mosque was repurposed as a hospital before being converted into a Catholic chapel in the early 18th century. During this transformation, Baroque carvings were added, and the minaret was repurposed as a bell tower. However, the original Arabic inscriptions inside the prayer niche (mihrab) were preserved, offering a glimpse into its Islamic heritage. In the 1960s and 2000s, extensive restoration efforts removed later modifications, restoring the mosque to its original Ottoman appearance.

Today, the mosque functions as both an active place of worship and a museum, showcasing Islamic religious artifacts, Turkish handicrafts, and exhibits on Hungary’s Ottoman history. A permanent exhibition, enriched with 16th-century furnishings provided by Turkey, opened in 2022. Visitors can admire its classic Ottoman design, featuring a square base, a domed roof, and ogee windows, as well as the 22.5-meter-high minaret—though access to the top is now restricted for safety reasons.

The mosque is located near a statue of Ibrahim Pecevi, an Ottoman chronicler from Pecs, unveiled in 2016. It remains open to the public on designated days, except for Friday prayer times (2:30–3:30 PM), with maintenance supported through private donations and Turkish state funding.