Yuk’ara Jami Mosque is the only surviving Muslim religious building in Alushta from the XIX century. This landmark had to go through a long period of decline, but today it once again serves as the spiritual home of Crimean Muslims.
The mosque was erected in the XIX century in the historical center of Alushta, its name translates as «upper» — it is located on the highest point of the hill. There used to be a lower mosque near the Muslim cemetery in the valley of the Ulu-Uzen River, but it suffered the worst fate — it was destroyed.
During its heyday until the 30s of the last century, the Yuk’ara Jami Mosque was a beautiful architectural structure. To the left of the two-storey complex rose a high tower Orta-Kule, a fountain was created next to the building, and the interior decoration of the mosque was made in the best traditions: the windows on the second floor were decorated with beautiful stained glass, the floor and ceiling, as well as the inner balcony for praying women were made of wood, the walls of the mosque were covered with skillful paintings. Today, only the tower and a fragment of the stained glass windows decorating the windows of the second floor remain of all this splendor.
The history of the mosque is tragic. In the 30’s it was closed, then in 1941-1944 it again fulfilled its purpose, and then for half a century the building was transferred from one management to another, since 1962 it functioned Alushta children’s and youth sports school. Only in 1986 the authorities remembered that the Yuk’ara Jami Mosque is one of the most important architectural monuments of the city, a part of its history, and recognized the building as an architectural monument.
To the community of the Spiritual Administration of Crimean Muslims Mosque Yuk’ara Jami was returned only in 1994, and namaz here began to be held again two years later. The building returned to Muslims was a tragic sight — only a «box» — walls and ceiling — remained from the former splendor.
Today, the Yuk’ara Jami Mosque is being restored to its former appearance. This architectural gem is being restored according to archival materials and photographs in accordance with its original appearance. A room for bidding farewell to the dead, a room for worshippers to wash before prayers and a balcony for women have been re-created. In the near future it is planned to restore the minaret destroyed in the 30s.
For everyone who wants to see the historical sights of Alushta, which are part of the formation of the city, a visit to the Yuk’ara Jami Mosque will be both interesting and exciting. Many iconic attractions of Crimea have a tragic history, but eventually they rose from the «ashes» and today again fulfill their purpose and the spiritual house of Muslims in Alushta is one of them.