The Lead Mosque in Shkodër was inaugurated today in a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Shkodër, Benet Beci, the Turkish Ambassador to Tirana, Tayyar Kağan Atay, and the Mufti of Shkodër, Imam Muhamed Sytari.

Mayor Beci stated that the complete restoration of the Lead Mosque is a moment of pride for everyone, as it restores dignity to this unique religious monument in the entire Balkans.

“You have restored value to a precious diamond of this city—not only in terms of history, but also as an architectural work of which we have always been proud. Its return to the city is not only a gift but also an opportunity for visits. This is a historic area, for which we have designed a project that will add further value to the entrance of Shkodër,” said Beci.

Turkish Ambassador Tayyar Kağan Atay praised both the investment made by the Turkish government and the full restoration of the site, which comes as a result of cooperation between the Turkish and Albanian governments.

The Mufti of Shkodër, Imam Muhamed Sytari, said: “This is a long-held dream of ours. Now the Lead Mosque emerges from the depths of floods, takes on a new appearance, and enters a new era, remaining deeply connected to its centuries-old spiritual identity.”

The Lead Mosque has been described as one of the 50 most beautiful monuments in the world and is the largest Ottoman-style mosque preserved in Albania, incorporating elements of other architectural traditions as well.

The mosque was built by Mehmet Pasha Bushati in 1773–1774 and for a long time served as the largest mosque in the country.

It blends Turkish and Arab architecture, evident even at its entrance. Visitors step into an inner courtyard covered by 12 domes, with a central drum rising up to 20 meters. It is the tallest Ottoman-era mosque in Albania.

In 1948, the Lead Mosque was declared a cultural monument and received state protection.

However, in 1967, when religion was officially banned in Albania, the mosque suffered damage, particularly with the destruction of its minaret. During various periods, it was no longer officially used for religious rituals.

The revitalization of this unique mosque in Shkodër involved not only its deep restoration but also the transformation of the surrounding space.