Cultural site: City (Jusuf) mosque

History

In 2019, the only project in Montenegro related to conservation and archaeological research funded by European funds is in Donja Ržanica, near Berane. After extensive work, the city of Tumba "emerged", or professionally speaking - the archeological site of Tumbarica. The site testifies to life in this natural refuge,

inhabited as early as the Neolithic, around 4,500 BC. The found ceramic material, stone grindstones and one net weight belong to the Vinča cultural group, and based on the found silver coins of the Dirahuijon colony, it is assumed that there is a layer on Tumbarice that belongs to the Late Iron Age or Illyrian-Greek period.

Cultural site details

The city (Jusuf) mosque in Bijelo Polje, the only one in the inner city, has been located on its current location since 1741. She was transferred there from the village of Jabucino, 5 km away from the city, so that after the withdrawal of the Turkish army, she would not be left to perish. Stone by stone, in the hands of the locals, in a column about ten kilometers long, it was reported in 48 hours.Although it has undergone numerous renovations and restorations that have to some extent damaged its authentic appearance, due to its importance, the mosque has been placed under the protection of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments.There are several graves in the harem (courtyard) of the mosque, including the grave of Imam Hafiz Mustafa Gušmirović, which is why this mosque is often called the Gushmir Mosque.2The harem of this mosque houses the offices of the Islamic community, mekteb classrooms, abdesthans and apartments for imams.

The mosque had its own endowments: a field in Bijelo Polje, a mekteb and three cemeteries with annual income.3 The last restoration was carried out in October 2001, that is the month of Shaban 1422 AH.