Greece begins restoration of historic Ottoman monument in Rhodes

The Greek Ministry of Culture has announced a major restoration project for the Murat Reis complex, a site with a significant place in Ottoman history on the island of Rhodes.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes a mosque and several mausoleums.

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni emphasized the architectural and historical importance of the Murat Reis Mosque, saying, “It is a special example of architecture that combines Ottoman Baroque characteristics with Egyptian and neoclassical elements.”

Closed in 2000, the mosque holds significant value in the local Muslim history.

The complex, built in the 17th century at the northern tip of Rhodes, just outside the medieval walls, initially served as the town's administrative center.

Ebu Berk Pasha built the complex, and Murabit Hasan Bey later reconstructed it in 1797-98. It encompasses the admiral Murat Reis' tomb, a purification fountain, a dervish hermitage, the guardian's residence, and a cemetery with notable domed mausoleums.

The mosque has endured several challenges, like the Italian bombardment in 1912, but is still in relatively good condition. However, it faces issues due to material aging, moisture in the masonry, and corrosive conditions from the sea.

The mausoleum of Mehmed Shakib Pasha, an exiled governor of Egypt, collapsed in 2013, a victim of bad weather and material failure. According to Mendoni, Mehmed Shakib Pasha died in 1894, but the Italians rebuilt his mausoleum post-1927.

The project gets its funding of $432,000 from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

The Ephorate of Antiquities of the Dodecanese is overseeing the restoration. This undertaking aims not just to repair and conserve, but also to make this monumental ensemble accessible to the public.

Source: Newsroom