The Juma-Jami Mosque, also known as the Friday Mosque, is located in Yevpatoria, Ukraine. Built between 1552 and 1564, and designed by the famous Turkish architect Mimar Sinan.

The Juma-Jami is the largest and most magnificent mosque of Crimea and was founded by Khan Devlet I Giray in 1552. The Khan commissioned Istanbul architect Mimar Sinan (1489–1588) to build the mosque. Sinan was a famous Turkish architect and engineer of the Ottoman period. He designed the Sinan Pasha Mosque and the Şehzade Mosque in Istanbul. Construction of the Juma-Jami Mosque was a long process. At the time, Mimar Sinan was busy with construction of the Süleymaniye Mosque, in Istanbul. Which was also plagued by financial difficulties due to money being spent on the war with Ivan the Terrible.

Coming to Yevpatoria you need to see a monument of medieval Muslim architecture of the world’s significance. Juma-Jami Mosque (or Han-Jami), the largest mosque in Ukraine in waiting for you.

Welcome to a beautiful and ancient religious building built with a special purpose. It must a place for coronation of the Crimean khans (one of the local legends will tell you that the temple was built just for one night).

See by your own eyes perfect lines, airy forms and grandiose concept of the only one extant in Europe multi-dome mosque. It is an functional mosque and you can make a tour of its territory. Visiting the temple you will feel like your soul is cleaned by spring water (this is a result of special aura of the temple. It is no wonder that merciless time kept this holy site without any damages).

Friday Mosque Juma-Jami (under the legend Mohammed the Prophet was born on Friday) was put in Gezlev a year after Devlet-Girey I crowning and under his order (for those know history well it is the very khan ruining Moscow state by raids).

The temple was created by the great Turkish architect Khodja Sinan (born in 1489 or 1490 – died in 1599 or 1600), author of many outstanding buildings in Instanbul, Adrianopolis and other cities of Muslim Orient. In Khodja Sinan list of buildings Juma-Jami Mosque is under number 77. Construction was carried out for a long time, for more than ten years and finished as it is supposed, in 1564. The right for the Crimea Khan (firman) received in Istanbul announced under the arches of the mosque and authenticated here by Khan’s signature in special deed permanently preserved in the Mosque.

Not long ago Juma-Jami Mosque was restored completely. Minarets and main entrance gallery has been restored fundamentally. Inside and outside damaged architecture details replaced under preserved samples.

Many Crimean Khans were crowned in the mosque and because it is well-preserved, it is one of the symbols of Yevpatoria . The Dervish Tekje monastery from the 14th century is not far away from there. The Turking spa has been preserved from the times of the Turkish sultan. You can also see one of the last buildings of the Crimean Karaites – the Jewish group refusing the Talmud. The Karaite Kenasa are a collection of sacred buildings. You can get there by direct flight to Simferopol or through Kiev or Odessa.