The impressing Lead Mosque (Xhamia e Plumbit) stands on the southern outskirts of Shkodër, right at the foot of Rozafa Castle. It gets its name from the lead plates that cover its roof. It was built in the 18th century by the former Shkodërian ruler Mehmed Pasha Bushatli, who is also buried here. One of the most beautiful mosques in Albania.
The mosque was completed in 1774 and is one of the examples of Ottoman architecture in present-day Albania. In the early 20th century it was severely damaged several times and the lead from its roof was stolen. Over time, the mosque also lost its minaret. Thanks to being declared a cultural monument in 1948, it survived the atheist campaign of the Albanian communist regime, during which many mosques, churches and other religious buildings were razed to the ground.
After 1990, it was the first mosque in Albania to resume regular prayers. However, it soon became clear that nature was not in favour of the Lead Mosque. The meadow on which it stands was repeatedly flooded by water and the mosque had to be closed again. After renovations, which were financially supported by Kuwaiti patrons, it reopened to the public in 2016.
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