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Conversion of mosques into non-Islamic places of worship

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The conversion of mosques into non-Islamic places of worship has occurred for centuries. The most prominent examples of such took place after and during the Reconquista.[1]

Conversion of mosques into churches

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This table lists former mosques with identified original buildings or ruins. It also includes those churches where the original structure of the mosque no longer survives and the church was built at the site of a former mosque. It also includes those that were originally churches that were converted to mosques and later reconverted to churches.

Current Name Mosque Name Images City Country Year Opened Year Closed Notes Ref.
Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba Great Mosque of Córdoba (Qurṭuba), Aljama Mosque Córdoba Spain early 8th century 1236 After the Muslim conquest of the Visigothic Kingdom (710~), the site of former main Visigothic church of Cordoba was divided and shared between Muslims and Christians for seven decades. Later, Abd al-Rahman I purchased the Christian part and built the large mosque in 785.[2] Major extensions were added in the 9th and 10th centuries until a final extension in the 10th century under Almanzor. After Christians recaptured Cordoba in 1236, King Ferdinand III of Castile converted the mosque into a cathedral. Later, a cathedral was built at the center of the old mosque, configuring the current Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. It was the second largest mosque in the world after Great Mosque in Makkah from the around 9th century, until the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul was built in 1588. It had a surface area of 23,400 square metres (2.34 ha) and accommodated an estimated 32,000 to 40,000 worshipers. The current mosque structure dates from 784 to 987.[3] [3][4]
Mosque of Cristo de la Luz Mezquita Bab-al-Mardum Toledo Spain 999 1186 Converted into a church. One of the best preserved Moorish mosques in Spain.[3] [3][4]
Giralda Great Mosque of Seville Seville Spain 1248 Only minaret remains. Mosque comparable in size to Great mosque of Cordoba, destroyed by earthquake in 1365. Minaret used as a church bell tower was built higher in 16th century. [3]
Almonaster la Real Mosque Almonaster la Real Spain 10th century Built on site of 5th-century Visigoth basilica. Converted into a church after Reconquista. National Monument since 1931. [3][4]
Mezquita del Alcázar de Jerez la Frontera Jerez de la Frontera (Jerez) Spain 11th century mid 13th century Located within former Moorish fortress of Alcazar of Jerez de la Frontera. Only surviving mosque building of 18 former mosques in the Jerez city. Converted into a church after Reconquista. [3][4]
Mosque of las Tornerías Al-Mustimim Toledo Spain 1060[5] Unusual two-storied mosque. Was built in a busy commercial neighborhood (Arrabal de Francos). Used as a church until 1498–1505, and other uses since. Restoration and preservation done recently. [4][5][6]
Mezquita de Tórtoles Tarazona Spain 15th century Mosque remains almost not altered in the later centuries. Current building was built in 2 stages, one early 15th century, other late 15th century. It is attached to the remains of the old fortified tower of town castle. Converted into a church in 1526. [7]
Aljama Mosque of Medina Azahara Aljama Masjid of Madinat al-Zahra Córdoba Spain 940 1010 A mosque in Madinat al-Zahra, a vast, fortified Moorish palace-city built by Abd-ar-Rahman III (912–961). The marbled, jeweled complex was plundered & destroyed first by Muslims, then by Christians when the civil war ended the Caliphate of Córdoba. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2018. [8]
San Sebastián de Toledo Al-Dabbagin Masjid Toledo Spain 1085~ Converted into a church after the 1085 Christian conquest of the area. Renovated several times but the original interior structure remains. The building is now used as a concert & exhibition hall. Belltower built in the 15th century shows characteristics of a former minaret. Ruins of Arab Baths of Tenerías remain lower below on slope.[9] A short reference to mosque exists by Ibn Baskuwal (1101–83) reported by Fath ibn Ibrahim.[10] [9][10]
Small Royal mosque inside Aljafería Palace Zaragoza Spain 10th century Located inside the great fortified palace. A small octagonal mosque, designed as a private oratory for the king and his family. Mosque architecture inspired by the Córdoba mosque. Aljafería is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986.[11] [11]
Mezquita-Iglesia de El Salvador, Toledo Toledo Spain 9th century 1085 Mosque built on former Visigoth or Roman substrate. Now a rebuilt church but excavations revealed 9th-century structures & elements of a mosque - horseshoe arch arcade, primitive stone minaret, flooring, courtyard with a cistern.[12][13] [12][13]
Alminar de Árchez, Alminar Mudéjar (Mudejar Minaret of Árchez) Masyid al-Ta`ibin, Mezquita de los Conversos (Mosque of convert) Árchez Spain 14th century Only 15-meter tall minaret remains, used as the belfry of Árchez church built on mosque location. The minaret is an Almohade architecture monument and the only remaining jewel of the Nazarí period.[14] [14]
San Sebastian Minaret (Alminar De San Sebastian) Ronda Spain 1485 Only minaret of the medium-size mosque in Plaza Abul Beka neighborhood remains. Minaret was expanded and used as a bell tower. The mosque was converted to a church but destroyed in the 1600s during Morisco Revolts. Ronda was a Muslim city for 700 years. The city had 7 or 8 mosques, none survive today.[15] [15]
Alminar de San Juan (Minaret of San Juan) Córdoba Spain 930 Only minaret remains of the mosque built in 930 during 1st Spanish Umayyad caliph 'Abd al-Rahman III. Now it's the belfry of San Juan church.[16] [16]
Iglesia de Santiago del Arrabal, Toledo Toledo Spain Converted to a church in 1223–25. Caliphate era minaret survives. The church is a Mudéjar style masterpiece, built in 1245–47 on prior structures of a mosque and Visigoth building.[17] [17]
Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (Benaque, Macharaviaya) Macharaviaya Spain One of few preserved mosques with original minaret and solid block building built of brick & masonry. Interior single rectangular prayer hall now a church nave. Drilling Mecca facing wall in 2003 showed original mosque construction and 19th-century work. Reconquista era document says "...While it was the visitation and reformation of the houses in the alcayua (or alamiya) in Benaque, the inhabitants used mosque as a parish church, where they had images and heard Mass...".[18][19] [18]
Church of Nossa Senhora da Anunciação Aljama mosque of Martulah Igreja Matriz de Mértola Mértola

(Alentejo)

Portugal 9th Century Best identifiable and unique former mosque in Portugal; a mixture of Almohad and Manueline post-Gothic architecture. The mosque was last rebuilt in the second half of 12th century but some elements date to the 9th century. In 1532 the, church modified the mosque building reducing its size from 6 sections & 20 columns to 4 sections & 12 columns.[20][21]
Church of São Clemente (Loulé) Loule Church - The Algarve, Portugal (1399505908) Loulé

(Algarve)

Portugal 11th Century Only some parts of the original minaret of a former mosque exist, used as a church bell tower. It's 22.7 meters tall and 4.2 meters across. The church was built in the 13th century and is the oldest in Loulé. Across it lies the old Arab cemetery of Jardim dos Amuados. The square plan and misalignment in the orientation of the church building also indicate the presence of a former mosque.[22][23]
Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo (Tavira) TaviraCasteloChurch-CCBY Tavira

(Algarve)

Portugal 12th Century A mosque stood at the highest point within the fortified Medina of Tavira on the location where the Church of Santa Maria stands. Recent excavations unearthed rubbish heaps with 11-12th century materials and dwellings from the first half of the 12th century. A slight canonical disorientation of the church is indicative of the structure originally being a mosque. In 1718, a tomb was found with a corpse accompanied by a Moorish Alfange blade.[24][25]
Downtown Candlemas Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mosque of Pasha Qasim Pécs - Mosque Church 02 Pécs Hungary 16th Century 1702 The current building, a hundred steps in length and in width, was built by Pasha Qasim the Victorious between 1543 and 1546. The mosque was converted to a church in 1702, after Habsburg-Hungarian troops reconquered the city. The minaret was destroyed by the Jesuits in 1766. One of the largest Ottoman constructions remaining in Hungary, the building still retains many Turkish architectural characteristics. [26]
Shrine of Our Lady of Europe Shrine of Our Lady of Europe in Gibraltar (3) Europa Point Gibraltar 1309 The mosque was built by Muslim troops at Europa Point, the southernmost part of Gibraltar. In 1309, King Ferdinand IV of Castile took Gibraltar, driving the Muslim troops back across the strait to Africa. The King converted the ancient mosque into a Christian Shrine. The Muslims again captured Gibraltar 24 years later in 1333. In 1462 King Henry IV recaptured Gibraltar and restored the devotion to Our Lady of Europe initiated by his grandfather, Ferdinand, once again transforming the ancient mosque into a Christian Shrine. [27]
Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned west Gibraltar Gibraltar 1462 The current cathedral stands at the site of the principal mosque in the center of the city. After the reconquest of the city, the mosque was stripped of its Islamic past and consecrated as the parish church (named Santa Maria la Coronada y San Bernardo). However, under the rule of the Catholic Monarchs, the old building was demolished and a new church was erected, in Gothic style. The cathedral's small courtyard is the remnant of the larger Moorish court of the mosque. [28][29]
Seven Saints Church Black Mosque SvetiSedmochislenitsiChurch-Sofia-3 Sofia Bulgaria 1528 1878 The Black Mosque was built on the order of Suleiman the Magnificent with the intention to be more impressive and beautiful than the Christian churches in the city. The mosque is popularly attributed to the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, although this is uncertain. The mosque is called the Black Mosque, after the dark granite from which its minaret was made. [30]
Church of the Assumption Churchoftheassumptionuzundzhovo Uzundzhovo Bulgaria 16th Century 1878 The mosque is believed to have been built by celebrated Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and was originally a part of a caravanserai. It was consecrated into a church in 1906. [31][32]
Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Sfintii Arhangheli Kings Braila Brăila Romania 17th Century 19th Century Originally built by the Ottomans, it was converted into a church after the transfer of the city to Wallachia following the Treaty of Adrianople.
Saint Nicholas Church Ibrahim Pasha Mosque 20120726 Agios Nikolaos former Ibrahim Pasa Ottoman Mosque Kavala Greece Kavala Greece 1530 1920s The mosque was built in 1530 by Ibrahim Pasha, the Vizier of Suleiman II and was the largest mosque of Kavala. In the 1920s the mosque was transformed into a church and the base of the minaret was used to build the bell tower. [33]

Conversion of mosques into Hindu temples

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This table lists former mosques with identified original buildings that have been converted into temples. It also includes those temples where the original structure of the mosque no longer survives and the temple was built at the site of a former mosque.

Current Name Mosque Name Images City Country Notes
Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Babri Masjid Ayodhya India The 16th-century mosque built on the birthplace of Rama under the reign of and named after Mughal Emperor Babur was demolished in 1992 by a mob of Hindu nationalists. In 2019, after a verdict by the Supreme Court of India, the decision to construct a temple at the site was accepted by the Indian parliament. Archeological Survey of India did excavations and revealed that there was a temple complex underneath the Mosque[34]
Durga Mandir Jama Masjid of Sonipat Sonipat India The imposing structure is currently being used as a Durga Mandir.[35]
Ram Leela Mandir Jama Masjid of Farrukhnagar Chand Minar behind Bharat Mata temple Farrukhnagar India Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar had the Jama Masjid constructed as the principal mosque of Farrukhnagar town, which he founded in 1732 CE. It is now being used as a Hindu temple and Sikh Gurdwara.[36][35]
Bharat Mata Mandir Khilij Jumma Masjid Daulatabad (Aurangabad) India The Jumma Masjid is the earliest surviving Islamic monument in the Deccan region.[35][37]
Bhagwan Danasher Mandir Dana Shir Masjid Hisar India The mosque is built to the west of the courtyard of the Tomb of Dana Shir Bahlul Shah. It is completely built of small bricks and is plastered with fine white stucco.[35][38]

Conversion of mosques into gurdwaras

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This table lists former mosques with identified original buildings that have been converted into Sikh gurdwaras.

Current Name Mosque Name City Country Notes
Bada Gurudwara Jama Masjid of Meham Meham, Haryana India One inscription inside the structure dates it to 1531 CE.[39]
Gurdwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh Shaheed Ganj Mosque Lahore, Punjab Pakistan Commissioned during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and construction completed in 1722. Converted to Gurudwara in 1762.[40]
Gol Gurudwara Gol Masjid Amritsar, Punjab India Reference[41]
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara Khail Bazaar Jama Masjid Panipat, Haryana India Its three ribbed domes rise high above the dense marketplace and its central arch with its decorative iwan bear testimony to its Mughal influence.[41][42]
Gurudwara Sahib Purani Masjid Gidranwali, Haryana India Reference[41]
Farukh Nagar Gurudwara Jama Masjid Farrukhnagar, Haryana India Reference[41]

Conversion of mosques into synagogues

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This table lists former mosques with identified original buildings that have been converted into synagogues.

Current Name Mosque Name City Country Notes
Geulat Israel synagogue Wadi Hunayn mosque Nes Ziona Israel The former mosque now serves as a Shas-affiliated synagogue. "The Geulat Israel synagogue, founded 5708 (1948)," reads a sign at the entrance.[43]
Shaarei Zion synagogue Yazuri mosque Azur Israel The walls of the building have been fixed up, but a closer look at the forest of domes on the roof reveals a Mamluk style, similar to that of many buildings in Jerusalem's Old City.[43]
Sulam Yaakov synagogue Sumayil mosque Tel Aviv Israel Sumayil was a village largely inhabited by Bedouins hailing from Northern Sinai. This original structure was built by them.[43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "5 Most Impressive Historic Mosques in Spain - History Lists". historylists.org. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  2. ^ L. M. (February 27, 2014), La basílica de San Vicente Mártir, la primacía de lo cristiano, ABC
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "5 Most Impressive Historic Mosques in Spain". historylists.org. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Magnificent Mosques of Spain". halaltrip.com. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Las Tornerías". archnet.org. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Fusion of Roman, Visigoth and Muslim culture". turismocastillalamancha.es. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Mosque of Tórtoles (Tarazona, ZARAGOZA)". patrimonioculturaldearagon.es. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Cordoba City - Madinat al-Zahra". andalucia.com. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Church (old mosque) of San Sebastián de Toledo". arteguias.com. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  10. ^ a b The existence of the Al-Dabbagin mosque is attested by a short reference by Ibn Baskuwal (1101-83) reported by Fath ibn Ibrahim. see: ''Actas de las i jornadas de Cultura Islámica, Toledo'', Instituto Occidental de Cultura Islámica (ed.) 1987, p. 158
  11. ^ a b "Aljafería Palace (Islamic part) in Discover Islamic Art". discoverislamicart.org. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Iglesia de El Salvador de Toledo". turismocastillalamancha.es. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Church of the Savior". toledomonumental.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Mudejar Minaret". malaga.es. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  15. ^ a b "San Sebastian Minaret". rondatoday.com. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  16. ^ a b "Minaret of San Juan". archnet.org. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Church of Santiago del Arrabal". discoverislamicart.org. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Benaque". andaluciarustica.com. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation. Mural paintings, minaret and cemetery. - Benaque (Macharaviaya)". viajerosencortomalaga.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  20. ^ "Discover Islamic Art - Virtual Museum - monument_ISL_pt_Mon01_10_en". islamicart.museumwnf.org. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  21. ^ "DGPC | Pesquisa Geral". patrimoniocultural.gov.pt. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  22. ^ AlgarveTips (4 August 2018). "Loulé: The #1 Guide to This Picturesque Town in the Algarve". AlgarveTips. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  23. ^ "Discover Islamic Art - Virtual Museum - monument_ISL_pt_Mon01_12_en". islamicart.museumwnf.org. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  24. ^ "Discover Islamic Art - Virtual Museum - monument_ISL_pt_Mon01_25_en". islamicart.museumwnf.org. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  25. ^ "DGPC | Pesquisa Geral". patrimoniocultural.gov.pt. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  26. ^ Romváry, Ferenc (2010). Pécs Lexikon. Pécs. p. 98. ISBN 978-963-06-7918-3. OCLC 729915518.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  27. ^ "History". ourladyofeurope.net. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  28. ^ "Visit Gibraltar". Visit Gibraltar. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  29. ^ "A Short History of the Diocese of Gibraltar". 2009-01-03. Archived from the original on 2009-01-03. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  30. ^ "100 години храм "Св. Седмочисленици" [Статии ЦВ]". 2005-01-04. Archived from the original on 2005-01-04. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  31. ^ "The Uzundzhovo church (The mosque – church ) – Tourist information center – Haskovо / Туристически информационен център Хасково". Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  32. ^ "Church of the Assumption". Religiana. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  33. ^ "Saint Nikolaos - Mosaic". myKavala. Archived from the original on 2021-01-10. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  34. ^ Phukan, Sandeep (2020-02-05). "PM announces Cabinet nod for Ram temple in Ayodhya". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  35. ^ a b c d "Mosques turned into Temples, the other side of history". SabrangIndia. 2020-05-08. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  36. ^ "Jama Masjid turned Mandir/ Gurudwara of Farrukhnagar". Rana Safvi. 2020-02-09. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  37. ^ Haidar, Navina Najat; Sardar, Marika (2011). Sultans of the South: Arts of India's Deccan Courts, 1323-1687. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 178. ISBN 978-1-58839-438-5.
  38. ^ "Collections-Virtual Museum of Images and Sounds". vmis.in. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
  39. ^ "Jama Masjid, Rohtak". nativeplanet.com. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  40. ^ Hilal Ahmed (2015). Muslim Political Discourse in Postcolonial India: Monuments, Memory. Routledge. p. 344. ISBN 9781317559542.
  41. ^ a b c d "Mosques that converted into Gurdwaras – A lesser known part of history". Muslim Mirror. 31 May 2020.
  42. ^ Fatima, Nikhat (2020-05-29). "Mosques in India that were converted into Gurdwaras: a lesser known history". TwoCircles.net. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  43. ^ a b c "A mosque once stood here". Haaretz. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
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