Tzistarakis Mosque
Mosque 18th-century Ottoman mosque in central Athens' market
An 18th-century Ottoman mosque in Athens’ Monastiraki area, notable for its architecture and central location close to the Ancient Agora and the city’s flea market.
The Tzistarakis Mosque is an 18th-century Ottoman mosque in central Athens, located on Monastiraki Square near the Ancient Agora. It was constructed in 1759 by the Ottoman official Mustapha Agha Tzistarakis.
Following the end of Ottoman rule the building has had multiple uses, including as a barracks and storage, and in the 20th century it has been used to display collections of the Museum of Greek Folk Art and ceramics. The structure is notable for its Ottoman architectural form in the heart of modern Athens.
The mosque stands in the pedestrianised Monastiraki area of central Athens, adjacent to archaeological sites and market streets and is easily reached on foot from Syntagma and Monastiraki metro stations.
- Date and location: Built in 1759 by the Ottoman governor Mustapha Agha Tzistarakis, the mosque is located on Monastiraki Square and is one of the few surviving Ottoman-era buildings in central Athens.
How to Get to Tzistarakis Mosque #
Located on Monastiraki Square in central Athens, the mosque is a short walk from Monastiraki Metro Station (Lines 1 and 3) and within easy pedestrian distance of the Plaka, the Ancient Agora, and the Acropolis. The area is best explored on foot.
Tips for Visiting Tzistarakis Mosque #
- Visit from the east side (Monastiraki square) to experience the mosque's courtyard and the potter stalls nearby.
- The building has served multiple roles - look for Ottoman-period inscriptions and the later phases when it housed a museum of Greek ceramics.
- It is sometimes used for exhibitions; check the Athens municipal cultural calendar for special openings.
Best Time to Visit Tzistarakis Mosque #
Spring and autumn for comfortable walking and to combine the visit with central Athens neighborhoods.
Weather & Climate near Tzistarakis Mosque #
Tzistarakis Mosque's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 33°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is hot, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 66 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
