The Naziresha Mosque is one of the most significant Ottoman-era buildings in Elbasan. It is located north of the Durrës-Korçë railway and was built in the 16th century to establish a new religious center for the city. Some sources suggest that the mosque was built even earlier, based on inscriptions bearing the dates 1007 and 1008 (Hijri calendar).
Regarding its origins, it is believed that the mosque was commissioned by the city administrator as a gift to his wife, after whom it was named. Around the same time, the Ballije Mosque, built by Naziresha’s brother, was also constructed.In terms of structure and dimensions, the Naziresha Mosque is classified among the smaller mosques. It has a cubic form with dimensions of 10.70m³, creating an internal space of 8.70m². The mosque is built with carefully arranged rectangular-cut stone blocks. These blocks are layered with two horizontal rows of bricks followed by two vertical rows.
The building’s windows are distinctive, rectangular in shape, with arched tops and decorative edges. The arches above the window frames are filled with plaster. The mosque has preserved its original prayer hall, which is paved with polygonal tiles. The hall itself is square-shaped and illuminated by five windows arranged in three rows. The most notable architectural element of this mosque is its minaret. It stands on a square base, which reaches the height of the second tier of the structure. The rest of the minaret is slender, built with porous Smerch stone blocks, reinforced with three rows of thin red bricks.The Naziresha Mosque is an important example of medieval Albanian religious architecture. It has been designated a cultural monument and remains a vital part of Albania’s heritage. Despite undergoing restoration, the building has retained its original form.
