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Dzhumaya (Friday) Mosque also known as Muradi Camii, is one of the oldest and biggest preserved Ottoman religious buildings in the Balkans. It is located in the centre of Plovdiv, at the foot of Taksim Tepe, on the border between the main street and the Kapana district. Dzhumaya is a Ulu mosque from the first half of the 15th century. In contrast to later single-domed mosques, it belongs to the so-called multi-domed mosques. It has nine domes covered with sheets of lead.Its high cellular masonry walls, enclose a 40 x 30 meters prayer hall. Four massive columns, located in the middle of the structure, maintain three large domes above the central ship, and above each of the two galleries, there ate three lead-covered arches. The high minaret rising from the northeastern corner of the building displays typical 16th century brick decoration. The interior of the mosque is decorated with floral ornament wall-paintings, such as twigs, blossoms and garlands that are intertwined with medallions quoting the Qu’ran.

Plovdiv is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Remains of the first permanent settlements date back to the VI c BCE. For 1300 years it was named Philippopolis, after Philip II of Macedonia. The city was a regional megapolis under Roman rule and has a rich cultural, artistic and architectural heritage from the Hellenic era. During the middle ages, it became a major literary and ecclesiastical center, absorbing much of the influence of Byzantium. The city fell under Ottoman rule in 1364. Gradually, the cityscape changed drastically. Roman and medieval structures gave way to eastern architecture. Mosques, imarets, baths, caravanserai and other Muslim buildings dominated, giving the city a distinctly Oriental look. The Dzhumaya mosque was built in the 1430s on the site of the St. Petka Tarnovska Cathedral Church. This imperial act was a clear sign of Ottoman domination. It marked the start of extensive Islamization of the population.

Today Dzhumaya is one of the symbols of Plovdiv. The Ottoman mosque stands over a Roman stadium and is surrounded by 19th baroque and modern architecture. It remains a hallmark in the rich 6000 year history of the city that combines into its fabric Pagan, Christian, Muslim and Secular threads.

Dzhumaya is an active Muslim temple and is visited daily by the Muslim religious community in Plovdiv.

- Direct visit - Virtual visit: See the photo galleries in the media resources section. - Discussion: What was the most interesting or surprising thing learned?