The Zagan Pasha (Zagnos Pasa) Mosque The Zagan Pasha Mosque, located in the heart of Balikesir, stands as an important historical landmark. It is famously known as the place where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, delivered his famous "Balikesir Khutbah" in 1923. At the beginning of his address, Ataturk invoked a prayer, saying “God is one, His greatness is immense. May God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you,” before highlighting the core values of the newly established Turkish Republic, including its forthcoming reforms and foundations. Built in 1461 by Zagan Pasha, an Ottoman commander and Grand Vizier of Albanian origin, the mosque complex includes a tomb and a hammam. Although the mosque’s structures were destroyed during the Admiralty period in 1897, they were restored in 1908 under the supervision of Governor Ömer Ali Bey. Today, the Zagan Pasha Mosque stands as an important historical monument attracting visitors from across the region. As the largest mosque in Balıkesir, Turkey, it is constructed using ashlar masonry arranged in a square layout. The central dome is flanked by four smaller side domes, and access to the mosque is available through its north, west, and east entrances. The porch is bordered on three sides by a sloping lead-covered wooden roof supported by two square pillars, with no narthex present. The minaret, a gift from the distinguished Hafız Efendi family, is positioned at the building’s northwest corner. Within the courtyard, there are two shadirvans and a tomb, along with an additional pentagonal shadirvan located outside the northwest corner. A sundial is mounted on an object atop a short, sturdy column at the southern end of the courtyard. If you have any questions or need further information about The Zagan Pasha (Zagnos Pasa) Mosque, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply send us a message on Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.