Hadzi Salihija (Stupnicka) Mosque

The Salihija Mosque, also known as the Stupnicka Mosque, is located in the Donji Seher neighborhood of Banja Luka, at the foot of the Sehitluci hill on the right bank of the Vrbas River. Built at the end of the 16th century, it is a valuable monument of Islamic architecture and part of the rich cultural and historical heritage of Banja Luka. 

For centuries, the mosque served as an important religious and social center for the residents of this part of the city, and its name, Stupnicka, has been preserved by the local people and is linked to the unique characteristics of the area where it was built.

 The origin of the name Stupnicka Mosque

 Although its official name is the Salihija Mosque, it is known among the residents of Banja Luka as the Stupnicka Mosque. It was named after the "stupe" (water-powered hammers) that were once located on this part of the Vrbas River.

These water-powered hammers were used for processing hemp and sumac, a plant used for dyeing leather, and were an important part of the local craft industry at the time. In this way, the name of the mosque remained connected to the daily life and economy of the old Banja Luka neighborhood.

 Architecture and historical value

 The Salihija Mosque belonged to the traditional type of Bosnian mosques characteristic of the Ottoman period. It was harmoniously integrated into the natural environment of Donji Seher, alongside the Vrbas River and the slopes of Sehitluci.

Throughout its history, the mosque has been restored several times, with particularly significant renovations carried out after the Second World War. Despite various interventions over the centuries, it has retained its historical character and significance as one of the recognizable symbols of this part of Banja Luka.

 Destruction and reconstruction of the Stupnicka Mosque

 During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Salihija, or Stupnicka, Mosque was destroyed on September 9, 1993. Its destruction represented a great loss for the cultural heritage of Banja Luka and the annihilation of another historical building that had been part of the city's identity for centuries. 

In 2003, the site and remains of the Stupnicka Mosque were declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, confirming its historical, architectural, and cultural significance. 

The reconstruction of the mosque lasted several years and was carried out according to the original 16th-century design of the building. The restored Salihija Mosque was ceremoniously opened in 2008, restoring the religious and social function of this valuable monument.

 Salihija Mosque today

 Today, the Hadži Salihija, or Stupnička Mosque, is one of the significant sites of Islamic cultural heritage in Banja Luka. Located in the peaceful setting of Donji Šeher, near other historical sites along the Vrbas River, it represents an important part of the city's cultural map.

Its story of origin, centuries-long existence, destruction, and restoration testifies to the importance of preserving cultural monuments that connect the past and the present. For visitors interested in the history of Banja Luka, Islamic architecture, and the traditional heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Stupnička Mosque is a valuable destination and a reminder of the rich history of this area.

‍