An interpretative rehabilitation of a 16th-century mosque: the case of Turali Bey's mosque in Tuzla

Abstract

Renovating a historic building for continuous use is a complex assignment that necessitates a professional approach and extensive knowledge, especially if there is insufficient information about the original form or, at the very least, the most recent intervention. The paper analyzes the 16th-century Turali Bey Mosque in Tuzla, its original appearance and typology, subsequent alterations, and the reasons that influenced the last renovation. A shortage of data slowed the research process significantly. Only a 19th-century drawing depicts the mosque's earlier and most likely historical appearance. Besides that, the only contribution was given by Kreševljaković in 1941 with the short description and drawings. During the construction of the nearby road in 1896, the municipality government carried out the necessary works to retain the building in use. The mosque was then upgraded, resulting in a change in shape and appearance. In 1997, the state Institute for the Protection of Cultural, Historical, and Natural Heritage conducted research, conservation, and restoration work. Based on the results of research work, the architectural design implied interpretive rehabilitation of the building in 2012. The authentic parts of the mosque, such as the walls with windows, mihrab, entrance portal, and the minaret, were reconstructed. The remaining elements, whose original appearance could not be confirmed, have been interpreted in a modern manner while preserving the traditional values of the mosque design at the time.

Keywords

• Turali Bey Mosque
• Renovation
• Rehabilitation
• Tuzla
• 16th century

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