Turkish Mosque Yiali Tzami description and photos - Greece: Chania (Crete) (Topic)

Yanissary Mosque (Turkish Mosque Yiali Tzami) description and photos - Greece: Chania (Crete). Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Turkish Mosque Yiali Tzami.

Photo and description

One of the most interesting cultural and historical monuments of Chania is the Turkish Yanissary Mosque (Yiali Tzami, also known as Giali Tzami). The majestic old building rises above the Venetian harbor of Chania and is hard to miss.

The history of the Janissary Mosque begins in 1645, after the Ottoman Empire occupied most of the island of Crete. During that period, a significant part of the Greek churches were converted into mosques (as a sign of the power of the Great Ottoman Empire). An important task of the Turkish conquerors was to convert as many Christians as possible to their religion. They forced Christian boys to convert to Islam, and then raised them in strict obedience and religious devotion.

Research has found that that the mosque was built on the ruins of an old Venetian bastion. The Janissary Mosque is a huge square with one large dome resting on arches, and seven small domes. The interior of the mosque is made in the Turkish style, but some elements have survived from the Venetian era. Unfortunately, the minaret of the mosque has not survived to this day, as it was destroyed at the beginning of the 20th century (during the Greek war with the Turks for independence). During that period, almost half of the inhabitants of Chania were Muslim, and the Janissary Mosque was one of the most visited places in the city.

In 1923, the authorities carried out a population exchange as part of a repatriation plan. As a result, there were practically no Muslims left in the city, and the mosque lost its main purpose. For a long time, the building was used as a warehouse. Today, the mosque hosts art exhibitions. There is also a tourist office.

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Topic: Turkish Mosque Yiali Tzami description and photos - Greece: Chania (Crete).