Greek State to restore historic mosque in northern Greece

Greek State to restore historic mosque in northern Greece

The Greek government has pledged its support in restoring the historic Celebi Sultan Mehmed Mosque in Didimoteicho, after it was severely damaged in a fire that broke out on Wednesday.

The 15th-century mosque, possibly the oldest in Europe, is considered by Greek officials as one of the most important Muslim monuments in all of Europe and has been protected since 1946.

The government “has an obligation and we have pledged that we will proceed with the repair of the monument,’’ said government spokesperson Dimitris Tzanakopoulos.

A team of experts from the Ministry of Culture headed by general secretary Maria Andreadi-Vlazaki, sent by Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou, arrived in Didimoteicho on Wednesday morning to inspect the damage after the fire was extinguished.

According to the Ministry the team will ensure that the necessary emergency action to protect and preserve the mosque is taken while the investigation into the fire is underway.

The historic mosque, started in 1402 AD by Sultan Bayezid but finally completed in 1420 AD under Sultan Mehmet I, had been one of the Ministry’s top priorities and that the restoration work on its roof had been included in the projects given EU funding. Prior to the fire, complete studies of its structure, archaeological investigation and the construction of a protective shelter had been completed.

"Having ensured a full record and the archaeological documentation of the monument, the culture ministry is determined and in every way prepared to fully restore the Mosque and hand it over to the local community and beyond in the best possible way, considering it a very important part of our country's cultural wealth," announcement from the Ministry of Culture.