Cultural site: KUCANSKA MOSQUE

History

Muslims originally from Kuce built the second mosque in Rozaje in the first half of the 19th century, which is still called the Kuca Mosque or the Lower Mosque. The exact year of construction of this mosque is not yet known, but passing through Rozaje in 1836 and 1838, travel writer Ami Boué wrote that there is only one mosque in Rozaje, which means that the Kučan mosque was not built before 1838.1 Kucanska is the only Rozaje mosque preserved in its original form, it has a wooden minaret, wooden roof, detailed carvings, and the method of construction is the same as in traditional Rozaje houses - made of stone and wood.

Cultural site details

What makes the mosque architecturally special and unique in Montenegro is that it is built of completely natural materials, ie. partly of stone, and predominantly of wood. What makes it unique is its minaret, which is built entirely of wooden elements, which is not common with this type of building. The hipped roof is also made of shingles. The Kuca mosque has a square base, which for the most part includes a space for prayer, and the entrance porch characterized the main facade. The stone from which it was built is visible on the side and back, and the interior of the mosque is plastered. The porch was originally made with wooden pillars, a wooden fence and an external mahvil on the porch gallery, and the high roof was covered with shingles. The use of wood in the construction of the mosque is the result of a long tradition of building houses with wood in this area.

The existing appearance of the mosque is the result of numerous changes in the last few decades (some of which have been recorded and some have not), which is most noticeable on the exterior of the building. The last major renovation was in 1983, when it suffered from the closure and glazing of the entrance porch, when new materials were introduced (bricks, metal, glass, black lines on the joints ...). At that time, the original entrance to the mosque on the main, street facade of the building was closed for the entrance, and the entrance on the left side was opened as a temporary solution that still does not change. For the needs of the static stabilization of the mosque, 25 years ago the corner of the building at the back and side of its foundation zone was reinforced with a concrete retaining wall. In the last two decades, the mosque has lost its proper visual accessibility on three sides with the construction of multi-storey buildings on the sides of the mosque, as well as behind it. The only currently available view of the building is from the street in which it is located. An old metal fountain with a stone bench has been preserved on the square in front of the Kucanska mosque.3 The immediate surroundings of the mosque directly affect the reduction of its ambient values. The condition of the mosque as a cultural and historical asset is relatively good, although the static condition of the building is still questionable. damage to facades and windows is noticeable.