Tombul Mosque Sheriff Khalil Pasha

The Sheriff Khalil Pasha Mosque, also known as the Tombul Mosque, is located in the town of Shumen. It was built in 1744. The architecture of the temple is influenced by the oriental architectural style "tulip", which originated in the early XVIII century, which is characterized by the inclusion of elements of the French Baroque.

With the complex of buildings around it, the temple is the largest in the country in area and architectural significance and second only to the Balkan Peninsula after the Sultan Selim Mosque, located in the city of Edirne, Turkey.

Tombul Mosque has been declared an architectural monument in issue. 22 of the State Gazette since 1975. Tombul Mosque is one of the 100 national tourist sites.

The architectural complex occupies an area of ​​1730 square meters. All parts of the complex are included in a common composition and are connected to courtyards.

The prayer hall is entered through an open vestibule with tall Moorish-style arcades. It is supported by four massive marble columns. There are five domes in the vestibule.

The main body of the temple is a four-walled prism with a square plan (15 m x 15 m). The prayer hall is illuminated by four belts of window openings, the upper three belts being stained glass. The layout of the exterior and interior has plastic and baroque details.

Surveys in 2005 revealed original frescoes on the ceilings and walls, which were covered with a later layer of paintings. The Sheriff Khalil Pasha Mosque has been open for prayer every day since its inception. Today, in addition to being a temple and spiritual center of the Muslim community, it is also an intensively visited tourist site.

The mosque sells information materials and souvenirs.