Built in the 16th century, the mosque was destroyed in 1993 during the Bosnian War and the remaining rubble and artefacts taken to landfill. The project to rebuild it was linked to efforts to encourage those displaced during the war to return, and to re-establish cultural memory and good neighbourly relations. Its design and construction was a complex process involving archaeological, documentary, and lab-based investigations. The result is a reproduction of the original building, using some of its original material. Elements salvaged from landfill were cleaned with environmentally friendly detergent and water, then individually scanned, documented, and selected for their function within the rebuilt structure. Fragmented Quranic inscriptions were reconstructed. Historically appropriate materials were used for the new elements, and seismic resistance measures taken. The mosque is now used daily for worship.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
