SOFIA
Remnants of Ottoman architecture standing in Bulgaria are in a struggle against lack of care, Turkish Deputy Premier's visit to the country has revealed.
Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag traveled nearly two thousand km during his three day tour in the Balkan country. He paid special attention to architectural works from the Ottoman era, inquiring about their legal status and expressing willingness to undertake their restoration.
Bulgaria remained under Ottoman rule for nearly five hundred years till its independence at the end of the 19th century.
Bozdag said he felt sad at the sight of such neglected works of architecture. He found it particularly bitter in Plovdiv, where a historic mosque was turned into a restaurant, and a traditional public bath (hamam) into a modern arts museum.
Deputy Prime Minister said he raised the issue with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Zlatanova, whom he met.
"We saw a hamam and another mosque from the same period," Bozdag said. "This mosque is now private property; a citizen bought it in 1930.
"We are trying to acquire ownership of this mosque via Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). There is no agreement yet. When one is reached, we will open it to worship."
Bozdag visited Imaret Mosque, Taskopru Mosque, Cifte Hamam and an Ottoman cemetery in the southern province of Plovdiv, second largest city in the country after capital Sofia. TIKA is already at work in Imaret Mosque, Bozdag said.
"We will reclaim Ottoman works in Bulgaria," he said.
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