Located on the left bank of the Dragor River, the Ishak Mosque is the largest and main mosque in Bitola. Built in the year 1506, the mosque served for centuries as an important spiritual, cultural, and urban center of the city.
The mosque complex was carefully and strategically positioned among the administrative buildings of its time, close to the Bezisten—the covered oriental market—and the Great Bridge. This bridge connected the mosque with the city’s main street, Shirok Sokak. Thanks to this location, the mosque became an integral part of everyday life in Ottoman Bitola.
Isak Mosque – Bitola 1848 – drawing by Edward Lear
View of Isak Mosque H.Catenacci Bitola 1878
Jewish market in Bitola with Isak Mosque in the background Bitola with Isak Mosque 1915
Panorama of Bitola with Isak Mosque 1916
The construction of the Ishak Mosque was financed by Qadi Ishak Çelebi, the son of Isa Fakih. He first served as a judge in Thessaloniki and was later appointed as a qadi, or judge, in Bitola. He moved here with his family and left a lasting mark on the city’s history.
With its impressive size and a minaret rising about 50 meters high, the Ishak Mosque dominates the surrounding space. It is considered one of the most representative examples of early Ottoman architecture in the region. Its solid structure, simple yet powerful form, and harmony with the urban landscape make it easily recognizable even today.
In modern times, the mosque has been declared a cultural and historical monument under state protection. It was recently fully restored with the support of the Turkish state agency TIKA, restoring its authentic appearance and dignity preserved through the centuries.
Today, the Ishak Mosque is not only a place of worship, but also an important tourist attraction. It stands as a testimony to Bitola’s multicultural past and its role as a significant center in the Balkans—a quiet yet powerful encounter with the city’s history, architecture, and spiritual heritage.
