Et'hem Bey Mosque

The Et'hem Bey Mosque, located in the very heart of Tirana, is one of the city’s most precious cultural and historical treasures. Construction began in the late 18th century by Molla Bey and was completed in 1821 by his son, Haxhi Et'hem Bey — the same figure behind the nearby Clock Tower.

What makes this mosque truly special is its delicate frescoes, which depict not only typical Islamic motifs, but also natural scenes like trees, waterfalls, and bridges — a rarity in Ottoman religious art. Hidden from the public during the communist regime, the mosque became a symbol of peaceful resistance, as citizens entered it for prayer in 1991, defying state prohibition and marking a turning point in Albania’s cultural awakening.

Today, the mosque is admired not only for its spiritual role, but also for its artistry and symbolism — a place where faith, art, and national memory converge.

In this activity, students will recreate the mosque and reflect on how sacred spaces can preserve cultural identity and inspire change, even in times of silence.

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🛠️ What materials do you want to work with?

Choose how you want to explore each monument!Use the icons below to access resources on different platforms:

• 🗺️ Genially – Visit the interactive map with all the monuments

• 🎨 Canva – Open the classroom materials and printable activities

• ▶️ YouTube – Watch a tutorial video to learn more about the monument

• 🧱 Tinkercad – Access the 3D model to explore, copy, or customize the structure
  

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