The Wooden Mosque in Podkova Village

The 600-year-old mosque impresses with its architecture – not a single nail was used in its construction

High above Podkova Village stands the minaret of the wooden mosque, known as the "Mosque of the Seven Maidens." This sacred site plays a central role in the life of the local community, which is mainly composed of Bulgarian Muslims and Turks, who follow Islam. The mosque is open to all visitors, who wish to enjoy its beautiful yard and interior (if you want to enter, you must take off your shoes).

Although the date of the mosque's construction is well-known to be 1428, the details of its history remain largely unknown. Nevertheless, every year on May 6, during the Muslim spring holiday of Hıdırellez (which coincides with Bulgaria's St. George's Day), thousands of visitors from across Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and even Western Europe gather at the mosque.

In 2009, the mosque was restored using traditional building techniques and was declared as a cultural monument and the 24-meter-high wooden minaret was built in 2018. Interestingly, local residents consider the legend of the Seven Maidens to be a historical fact. They believe that these girls, whose fiancés never returned from war, sold their dowries and built the mosque in one night without using any iron nails. The legend, passed down through generations, has become an inseparable part of the history of this unique place.

Today, to express their gratitude for the feat and sacrifice of the Seven Maidens, the people of Podkova have created seven symbolic graves, known as cenotaphs, one for each maiden.

Near the mosque lies the village cemetery, which is covered with healing stones. There, you’ll find the "Hole Stone" or "Demetlikaya" in Turkish, which, according to local beliefs, can cure various diseases, including infertility. The only condition is that you must pass through the hole three times in a counterclockwise direction, preferably on May 6, when the mystical healing powers of the place are believed to be at their strongest.

Categories

• Landmarks
• Historical landmarks
• Religious temples

Features

• Free parking
• For kids

Regions

• Kirkovo

Location