A discovery that I have made while walking through the historical center of Constanta city, Romania near the shores of the Black Sea was The Great Mosque of Constanta. It is known also as the Carol I Mosque and it is a historic Islamic house of worship and an architectural landmark located in the Old Town of the city. Walking into it a guide welcomed us and told us few stories about it. It seems that it was commissioned by Romania's Christian King Carol I between 1910 and 1913 and that it was built as a symbol of gratitude and respect for the region's loyal Muslim community. Today, it stands as the primary center of Islamic culture in Romania and serves as an active place of worship for the local Turkish and Tatar populations. And Constanta being a city at the Black Sea and having a naval port, it is at the intersection of so many cultures and religions. And this monument is a landmark showcasing that diversity.
The Great Mosque of Constanta was built on the site of the older Mahmudia Mosque from 1822. Designers succeeded to preserve the original Moorish-style prayer niche (mihrab) inside the current structure, which I think is a good thing as it offers a historical glimpse into the past. On top of that it blends numerous other styles with influences from Byzantine, Egyptian and Romanian architectures of the time. And one special thing about it is that inside there still is a famous rug. Inside the prayer hall lies a massive 200-year-old oriental carpet weighing 490 kilograms. It was originally a gift from the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid to the vanished island community of Ada Kaleh. Here are some pictures with that and other shots from the interior.
And what I've enjoyed as well was the Minaret Climb where I climbed 140 spiral steps to the top of the minaret tower. The outdoor balcony offered panoramic views of Tomis Harbour, Ovidiu Square and the Black Sea. And with the breeze of the sea, the view was magnificent as if it transposed me into other times. I couldn't leave this place without some other photos.
Last but not least, there was also the Farewell Sermon (known in Arabic as Khutbat al-Wada), which is the last public speech that the Prophet Muhammad delivered to the Muslim community. This historic moment took place in the year 632 AD (year 10 after the Islamic calendar), during the farewell pilgrimage (Hajj). The Prophet delivered the sermon on the ninth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, on Mount Arafat (near Mecca), in front of over 100,000 believers. The sermon's message is considered the "charter of human rights" in Islam, because it establishes clear rules for a just, peaceful, and equal society. And The Great Mosque of Constanta had a sample of that.
Visiting The Great Mosque of Constanta in Romania was a peaceful moment that I experienced. This was not just an old building or a cool photo spot on the Black Sea coast, but a living symbol of peace and that people from different culture can live together. After the climb in the narrow minaret and looking out over the city 360 degrees, I found a beautiful history of Dobrogea region. Something different, but something that gives a glimpse into the culture of the place.
