Sherif Halil Pasha Mosque – Shumen

Sherif Halil Pasha Mosque, also known as Tombul Mosque is located in the town of Shumen. It was built in 1744. The design of the temple was influenced by the tulip oriental architectural style which developed at the beginning of the 18th century. It is characterised by the inclusion of elements from the French Baroque. Together with the complex of buildings surrounding it, the temple is the biggest and most architecturally significant mosque in Bulgaria and is preceded only by Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey on the Balkan Peninsula. The architectural complex takes up an area of 1730 sq m. All parts of the complex are included in a common structure and are interconnected by inner courtyards. Since it was built Sherif Halil Pasha Mosque has never closed its doors for a single day. Nowadays the mosque does not just function as a temple and a religious centre but it is also a very popular tourist attraction.