Bulgaria Inside

If you decide to examine the central part of Samokov, you will certainly notice the tall and ornate building situated at 49 Turgovska street. Bairakli mosque impresses with its exceptional architecture and decorations.

The mosque was named Iokousha but today everyone calls it Bairakli. It was constructed in the middle of the 19th century probably after the local Ottoman governor required the setting up of a sanctuary.

During the mosque’s restoration, a sanctuary plan carrying the signatures of three Bulgarian craftsmen was discovered. The plan proves that Bulgarians from the Samokov school of art were actively involved in the construction.

Some of the splendid wall paintings were covered right after their creation. Yet, archaeologists have managed to recover some of the beautiful drawings.

Wall paintings cover the entire Bairakli mosque façade. The beautiful decorative drawings cover the minaret. It also features spiraling brick decorations.

Bairakli mosque’s restoration took place from 1960 to 1966. Today, the mosque acts as a museum and has been named a monument of culture.