Ljubljana Mosque Slovenia Slovenia’s first mosque is a striking mix of Islamic and modernist architecture
THE MUSLIM CULTURAL CENTRE OF Ljubljana, completed in 2020, is home to one of the most beautifully designed modern mosques in Europe. The modern design and a thin, sharp minaret makes you think you entered a rocket launch facility.
Located in a semi-industrial area of the Slovenian capital, the mosque, which can hold up to 1,400 people, is the heart of the six-building Islamic Cultural Centre. All of the buildings are made from white concrete, combined with elements of steel, glass, and wood. Inside the mosque, a large blue dome makes a bold statement. Other features include the main prayer hall, a standalone minaret measuring 40 meters in height, an educational center, a gym, a park, and a restaurant.
The Ljubljana Mosque is the first mosque in the country. The Muslim community in Slovenia has been working towards its construction for decades, with the first request to build a mosque filed in 1969, when Slovenia was still part of former Communist Yugoslavia. The community finally received permission in the early 2000s, but ran into opposition from right-wing groups who tried to stop the project, but the courts denied their requests.
After plans to build in a different location fell through, the mosque’s location was acquired in 2008 and its foundation stone was laid in 2013. The mosque opened to the public in February 2020. It cost a staggering 34 million Euros to build, with the a large portion of that money donated by Qatar. The rest was raised by the Muslim community in Slovenia.
The mosque is open to non-Muslims on designated hours. The opening hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 10 and 11 a.m. The exterior is freely accessible to all.
Go early in the morning, it is quiet and light is beautiful. There is a convenient parking attached to the mosque.
SOURCE: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ljubljana-mosque