Emperor's Mosque

Mosque Historic Ottoman-era mosque and Sarajevo's oldest Islamic shrine

In Sarajevo’s old town, the 15th‑century Emperor’s Mosque (Careva) presents Ottoman architecture and an active worship space; tourists combine visits here with the Baščaršija quarter and Ottoman‑era streets.

Main image

The Emperor’s Mosque (Careva džamija) is a historic Ottoman-era mosque in Sarajevo’s old town area, Baščaršija. It is one of the city’s notable early Islamic monuments and serves as a functioning place of worship.

Commissioned in the 15th century during the early Ottoman presence in the region, the mosque reflects Ottoman architectural forms and has been part of Sarajevo’s urban fabric since the medieval-Ottoman period. It has undergone repairs and restorations over the centuries to maintain its structure and decorative elements.

The mosque is situated in the cultural and commercial heart of Sarajevo, adjacent to the traditional bazaar area and other historic religious and civic buildings.

The building lies in the Federation entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, within Sarajevo’s central historic district.

  • Historic location: Located in Sarajevo's Baščaršija historic quarter, it is often cited as one of the earliest Ottoman mosques in the city, dating to the 15th century.
Emperor's Mosque
Emperor's Mosque (Careva Džamija), Baščaršija, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
43.8574, 18.4307
Free to enter (donations welcome); visitors should observe dress/code for prayer times

How to Get to Emperor's Mosque #

The Emperor’s Mosque (Careva Džamija) is in Sarajevo’s old town (Baščaršija) and is best reached from the city centre on foot: it’s a short walk from the Baščaršija square and the main pedestrian streets. If arriving by public transport, get off at one of the central tram/streetcar stops serving the old town and walk a few minutes into the bazaar area.

By car approach the old town via the main city arteries (centre streets such as Ferhadija/Saraci area); parking is limited near the historic quarter so public transport or walking from central Sarajevo is recommended.

Tips for Visiting Emperor's Mosque #

  • Visit outside main Muslim prayer times-especially avoid Friday midday-so you can enter the mosque courtyard and view the interior without interrupting worship.
  • Approach the mosque from the Baščaršija market area to combine a short walking route through the old town; many visitors pass through quickly and miss the mosque's Ottoman-era architectural details and wooden minbar.

Best Time to Visit Emperor's Mosque #

For visiting the mosque, prioritize weekday times outside Friday noon prayer and major Muslim holidays to avoid the largest crowds.

Outside prayer times (lowest crowd levels)
Year-round (weekdays and non-holiday times) · N/A
Generally calm for visitors-best to come outside Friday noon prayer and major Muslim holidays.
Friday midday & religious holidays (highest crowd levels)
Year-round (Fridays and Islamic holidays) · N/A
Busiest times due to congregational prayers; non-participating visitors should expect limited access and larger crowds.
Spring / Summer (weather)
Mar-Aug · 10-30°C
Warmer months are pleasant for approaching the mosque from surrounding streets, but crowd patterns are driven more by prayer times than season.

Weather & Climate near Emperor's Mosque #

Climate

Emperor's Mosque's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1069 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 67 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-25°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
12° 24°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 26°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.9h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).

81 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 26°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 22°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

88 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (116 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

116 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

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