Yeni Mosque of Mytilene

The Yeni Mosque stands on today’s Ermou Street, in the center of Mytilene’s old Ottoman market. According to a foundation inscription, it was built around 1825 by Mytilene’s nazır, Mustafa Ağa Koulaxizis. It is the largest and newest Islamic mosque in Mytilene. It is stone-built, roofed with a tiled dome, combining Byzantine and Ottoman styles. Above the entrance arch survives a carved miniature representation of the mosque. The entrance led to an inner narthex, while two arched stairwells from the inner narthex provided access to the women’s gallery. Particularly impressive is the mihrab inside, with its elaborate plaster decoration. On the north side of the courtyard stood the Mufti’s residence.