The Roman Agora Before Ottoman Rule

Before the Ottomans arrived, the Roman Agora was already a space of religious transformation:

1. Roman Era (1st Century BCE – 4th Century CE)
   • Initially a commercial and administrative hub, home to temples, markets, and civic buildings.
   • Featured structures like the Gate of Athena Archegetis and the Tower of the Winds.
2. Byzantine Era (5th – 15th Century CE)
   • Pagan temples were either repurposed or destroyed, replaced by Christian churches.
   • The Middle Byzantine basilica (8th/9th century CE) stood where the Fethiye Mosque would later be built.

By the time of the Ottoman conquest in 1456, the Roman Agora had lost its importance as a marketplace but remained a historically significant space.

The Construction and Early History of the Fethiye Mosque

The First Mosque (1456/58 CE)

• After the Ottoman conquest of Athens in 1456, Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror visited the city in 1458.
• To mark the new era of Ottoman rule, the Byzantine church in the Roman Agora was converted into a mosque.
• Only a fragment of the original mihrab (prayer niche) survives from this first mosque.

The Rebuilding of the Mosque (1668–1670 CE)

• The original mosque was demolished and replaced by the present structure between 1668 and 1670, under the rule of Sultan Mehmed IV.
• Known as the “Wheatmarket Mosque” (Τζαμί του Σταροπάζαρου), as it was near the Ottoman wheat market.
• Served as Athens’ principal mosque, hosting Friday prayers, religious festivals, and educational activities.

Architectural Features

The Fethiye Mosque follows classical Ottoman mosque design, blending Islamic and Byzantine elements:

• A large rectangular prayer hall, covered by a central dome, flanked by two half-domes.
• Four smaller domes at the corners, supported by four pillars.
• A five-arched porch (revak) at the entrance, each arch crowned by a small dome.
• The walls incorporate ancient stones from earlier Roman and Byzantine structures.

Though simpler than the imperial mosques of Istanbul, the Fethiye Mosque’s design integrates seamlessly into the Roman Agora, adapting the city’s past to Ottoman aesthetics.

The Role of the Mosque in Ottoman Athens

For nearly two centuries, the Fethiye Mosque was Athens’ main place of worship, serving the Muslim population, including:

• Turkish officials and soldiers stationed in Athens.
• Merchants and travelers passing through the city.
• Islamic scholars and religious teachers.

It functioned not just as a mosque, but also as a community gathering space, reflecting the Ottoman approach to urban religious life.

The Decline and Secularization of the Mosque

Venetian Occupation (1687–1688)

• During the Morean War, Venetian forces briefly occupied Athens (1687–1688).
• The mosque was converted into a Catholic church, dedicated to St. Dionysius the Areopagite.
• When the Ottomans regained control, it was restored as a mosque.

Greek Independence and Abandonment (1830 CE)

• Following the Greek War of Independence, the mosque was decommissioned and its minaret was demolished.
• From 1834 onward, it was repurposed for various uses:
  • Military barracks and prison.
  • A military bakery, where kilns were installed inside the structure.
  • An archaeological storage facility, housing artifacts from excavations at the Agora and Acropolis.

Modern Restoration and Cultural Rebirth

By the early 21st century, the Fethiye Mosque had fallen into disrepair, suffering from structural weaknesses due to neglect.

Restoration Process (2010–2017)

• In 2010, the Greek Ministry of Culture began the process of emptying the mosque of stored antiquities.
• In 2013, the Central Archaeological Council of Greece approved a plan to restore the mosque and reopen it to the public.
• The project focused on:
  • Reinforcing the original Ottoman architectural elements.
  • Removing 19th-century additions, restoring it to its 17th-century form.
  • Preserving historical integrity, while adapting it for modern cultural use.
• In 2017, after years of extensive work, the mosque was officially reopened as a cultural exhibition space.

Conclusion

The Fethiye Mosque is more than just an architectural landmark—it is a living symbol of Athens’ historical transformations. From its origins as a Byzantine basilica, to its role as Athens’ principal mosque, and finally to its modern function as a cultural venue, it encapsulates centuries of religious, political, and social change.

Though once a site of Ottoman dominance, its restoration in 2017 reflects a growing recognition of Athens’ multicultural past, acknowledging that the city was shaped not only by its ancient Greek and Christian heritage but also by its Islamic and Ottoman history.