Sarajevo through History › Ottoman period › Ghazi Husrev-Bey’s Endowment
Ghazi Husrev-Bey’s Endowment
Ghazi Husrev-Bey’s Endowment
Ghazi Husrev-Bey is a well-known governor and benefactor of Sarajevo, son of Ferhad-Bey (Bosnian) and Selçuka (Turkish princess, daughter of Sultan Bayezid II).He gave his entire fortune to Sarajevo and endowed numerous buildings through his waqf.
Location: Old Town
His waqf is comprised of the largest mosque in the Balkans – Ghazi Husrev-Bey’s Mosque, hamam, bazaar, Taslihan (Stone Inn), Kursumlija Madrasah, Hanikah (Dervish tekke), imaret (public soup kitchen), musafirhana (inn for visitors to Sarajevo), and the library.

 He also established two hundred shops (used to maintain his waqf). After his death, funds collected from the shops’ turnover were used to build the Clock-Tower, Moric Inn and the first hospital in Sarajevo. According to a legend, Ghazi Husrev-Bey gave up his wealthy suit as well, and wore clothes the Court donated to him instead.
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