Tanners Mosque (Tabakhane Mosque)
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Tanners Mosque |
It is thought that Tanners Mosque was built in the 14th century by
the Jacobites, as a small church dedicated to St Kathrena. They were certainly using it in the 15th century.
In Ottoman times, it was used as a mosque by the leather tanners, who
worked nearby, thus it became known as the Tanners' mosque or Tabakhane
Mosque. As the tanning industry declined in Famagusta, the Tanners
Mosque gradually fell into disuse.
The mosque can be found close to the north west corner of Famagusta and
is marked on some maps as being inside a restricted military area. This
is not correct, and has not been for some time, although the barbed wire
and "no photography" signs are still in place. The area, however, has
been taken over by a school, so access is still restricted to a certain
extent. Back to
Famagusta index. |