The Kalin Hajji Alija’s Mosque used to be situated on the corner of the streets Kulovića and Branilaca Sarajeva, existing on that location from 1535 until 1947.
The mosque was demolished in 1947, when the socialist authorities made a park there and built a residential building where the clerks and military officers were accommodated. The park was later named after the Slovenian poet Franc Prešern.
In August 2004, the Municipality of Centar reached a decision, giving an approval for the execution of works in the park of Franc Prešern. When the works started, the foundations of the mosque with the maktab and remains of the cemetery were revealed, after which all the works were stopped. The Commission for preservation of national monuments of B&H has been treating the site concerned as a national monument since November 2004, and it will remain so until the final decision on the declaration of the site a national monument is reached. Upon the initiative by the Islamic Community and some non-governmental organizations, in January 2015 the Assembly of the Sarajevo Canton reaches decision changing the name of Prešern’s park into the Harem of Kalin Hajji Alija’s Mosque.
It was recently agreed that the Municipality of Centar and the Waqf Directorate approach the protection of the locality by fencing the site and then archaeologically researching it, after the research results would be presented to the public. Prior to the very presentation, conservation of scientific works would be done, followed by a complete elaborate on scientific and conservatory works.
Archaeological research and conservation of the site is the primary activity, after which activities on possible reconstruction of the mosque will follow.
In accordance with recommendations by the The Commission for preservation of national monuments of B&H, the Municipality of Centar ordered and financed the project “Archaeological park of Kalin Hajji Alija’s Mosque” with ten thousand BAM. The project was made by the Cantonal institute for the protection of cultural-historical and natural heritage, and it consists of conservation and presentation of archaeological remains of the mosque and maktab, as well as the formation of a modern-concept square area.
Fencing of the site and archaeological research will begin in the coming months, after all preliminary work is done.
(Source: klix.ba)
