The location of Ferhadija Mosque is one which pays homage to many eras of Bosnian history–beside it stands both the Hotel Europe, an Austro-Hungarian era building, as well as Yugoslav block apartments.

“Ferhad-beg Vukovic-Desisalic built his mosque in 969 AH (1561/1562 CE). Later a mahala (residential quarter) took shape around it, known as Ferhadija. The mekteb (junior school), imaret (public kitchen), drinking fountain and ornamental fountain erected alongside the Ferhadija were burned down in fires in 1879 and 1897. The Ferhadija mosque reflects the full maturity of the classical Ottoman style (domed mosque, portico with small domes, and slender built-on minaret). Research works on the painted decoration inside the mosque 1964/1965 revealed five painted layers dating from various periods. The oldest and extremely valuable decorations of the first layer date from the 16th century (in the dome, on the cornice, the base of the corner calottes, the mihrab and the lunettes of the lower row of windows), belonging to the group known as Rumi ornament, which were also to be seen in the Aladza mosque in Foca. The next painted layer (on the calottes, central part of the mihrab, and surface of the dome) consisted of purely floral decorations with the features of 18th century style. The third and fourth layers date from the late 19th century (1878) and the first quarter of the 20th.”

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Informational Plaque outside Ferhadija Mosque