17.03.2026 20:05
Remzi Pajo purchased a plot of land in Edirne, where remnants of the 15th-century Mahmut Ağa Mosque were discovered. Pajo stated that he could not carry out any work on the land and requested the authorities to address his grievances. Retired art historian Prof. Dr. Engin Beksaç said, "It is extremely natural for such buildings to emerge, especially in old Ottoman neighborhoods. There is only one solution to this; the formalization of the property owner's asset, transferring the title to the state, and placing these sites under protection."
In Edirne, Remzi Pajo purchased a plot of land on Mahmut Ağa Cami Street in the Sarıcapaşa neighborhood for 160,000 lira five years ago.
HISTORICAL MOSQUE REMAINS FOUND ON THE LAND
Pajo took action last year to evaluate the land. During this process, the Edirne Cultural Heritage Preservation Regional Board intervened due to suspicions that the 15th-century Mahmut Ağa Mosque was located in the area. With a letter sent by the board, officials from the Edirne Museum Directorate conducted excavation work on the land. The excavation revealed the remains of the mentioned mosque.
"THE RUMORS TURNED OUT TO BE TRUE AT THE END OF THE EXCAVATION"
Pajo, who stated that he bought the land from a family friend, said, "It was said that there was a lost mosque here; called Mahmut Ağa Mosque. They told us that they saw the foundations coming into my land. The monuments board sent a letter to the museum, and we started the excavation here last summer with officials from the museum. We saw that the foundations came into my land, it turned out to be true. It is also said that there is a cemetery behind it, but I don't know how true that is, of course," he said.
"THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR STRUCTURES"
Retired art historian Prof. Dr. Engin Beksaç stated that there are many similar structures in Edirne, saying, "There are many mosques that have been demolished, abandoned, or sold. Especially the beginning of this event is part of a story that goes back to the late 1930s and into the 1940s. During this period, many mosques and similar structures were sold, passing into private ownership, and then a series of problems arose in Edirne. The same event is happening here. This is already a known location. It was expected that something would come out, and it has come out as expected. There is also a cemetery behind it. There are traces of the treasury as well," he said.
"IT SHOULD BE PROTECTED"
Prof. Dr. Beksaç noted that it is normal for such structures to emerge in neighborhoods that have survived from the Ottoman period to the present day, stating, "This situation is normal for Edirne. Because there are similar buildings in other places as well. Especially in the old Ottoman neighborhoods, it is extremely natural for such buildings to emerge. There is only one solution to this; the formalization of the property of the owner and the transfer of its title to the state, and the protection of these places. There is no other solution to this," he stated.
On the other hand, Pajo stated that he could not carry out any work on the land and requested the authorities to resolve his victimization.