Bulgaria Documents 140 Mosques in First Four-Language Illustrated Encyclopedia

Bulgaria Documents 140 Mosques in First Four-Language Illustrated Encyclopedia
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The Chief Mufti’s Office of the Republic of Bulgaria has published the country’s first illustrated encyclopedic album documenting 140 mosques across Bulgaria, combining Islamic heritage preservation with architectural documentation and historical research on the Muslim community’s presence in the country.

The luxury hardcover publication features professional photographs and detailed information about each selected mosque, including its history, architectural characteristics, restoration phases, and current religious activities.

The album is available in four languages — Bulgarian, Turkish, English, and Arabic — allowing researchers, visitors, and heritage enthusiasts inside and outside Bulgaria to explore aspects of Islamic architecture and the cultural history of Muslims in the Balkans.

The project was the result of a two-year field survey conducted by a team from the Chief Mufti’s Office, which visited and photographed 278 mosques across Bulgarian cities and villages before selecting 140 sites for inclusion in the final publication.

The documented mosques represent a variety of architectural styles and locations, ranging from historic urban landmarks to rural religious centers that continue to serve local communities. The album highlights mosques not only as places of worship but also as spaces connected to education, social activities, and cultural memory.

Most Muslims in Bulgaria belong to the Bulgarian Turkish community, alongside Pomaks and other Muslim groups. Mosques and Islamic institutions remain part of the country’s diverse religious and cultural landscape.

The publication aims to preserve the memory of these architectural landmarks and introduce their historical and cultural value to future generations, while also contributing to cultural and heritage tourism.

Through photographs and historical descriptions of domes, minarets, decorations, and architectural features, the album presents a visual record of Islamic heritage in Bulgaria and its place within the country’s broader multicultural history.