Dugalica Mosque Reopens in Bosnia After 1992 Destruction

April 27, 2026

Ottoman-era mosque in Nevesinje restored to original design with Türkiye’s support, reopening draws hundreds of Bosniaks.

Photo by Anadolu Agency (AA)

Select Language:

Key Takeaways

Dugalica Mosque, destroyed in 1992, reopens in Nevesinje after restoration
Türkiye’s Directorate General of Foundations led the 2023 rebuild using original plans
Ceremony attended by Turkish officials, Bosnian leaders, and hundreds of Bosniaks

The Dugalica Mosque in Nevesinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is finally open again. Serb forces demolished the Ottoman-era structure in 1992 during the Bosnian War.

Reconstruction began in 2023 through Türkiye’s Directorate General of Foundations, part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Work followed archival records and field studies to match the original design.

Ceremony and Attendance

The reopening ceremony took place in the mosque courtyard. Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sarajevo Emin Akseki attended alongside Foundations General Director Sinan Aksu.

Enes Ljevaković, deputy head of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, joined Bosnian officials and hundreds of Bosniaks who traveled from across the country.

Unfortunately, this valuable structure, which was completely destroyed during the Bosnian War and nearly erased from existence, has been rebuilt in 2023 through our efforts, based on archival documents, historical data and meticulous field studies, while remaining faithful to its original architectural character.

He added that the project restored a full complex including a school, ablution facility and clock tower. The clock tower received structural reinforcement.

Enes Ljevaković thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the restoration work.

After speeches, attendees chanted “takbir” as the mosque opened. The Islamic Community flag flew at the site for the first time since 1992.

Nevesinje had a mostly Bosniak population before the war. Today it is Serb-majority following wartime violence against Bosniaks. Hundreds of Bosniaks returned to the area for the reopening, praying and reconnecting with their heritage.

Next Restoration Project

Aksu and his delegation also held a first stone-laying ceremony for the Murad Sipahi Mosque near Blagaj Tekke. The Ottoman-era structure will be rebuilt in its original form by the General Directorate of Foundations.

During the 1992-1995 war, Serb forces demolished the Dugalica Mosque down to its foundations to block future rebuilding.