Dome and slender minaret of the Zagreb Mosque under a blue sky

Religious site · Borovje, Zagreb, City of Zagreb

Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre

Croatia's main mosque and Islamic cultural complex, completed in 1987 with a 51-metre minaret

Ambient sound · similar settingBirdsong in a quiet green garden setting

Photo: Baltabar / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Discover Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre

In the residential Borovje district, south-east of the city centre, the Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre is the focal point of Muslim life in Croatia. Its slender 51-metre minaret rises over a complex of around 10,000 square metres that includes not only a prayer hall but also an Islamic secondary school, a library and spaces for the community to gather.

Designed by the Sarajevo architects Džemal Čelić and Mirza Gološ, the building blends traditional Islamic forms with the modern architecture of the 1980s. For Muslim travellers it offers a place for prayer during a stay in Zagreb; for others it is an insight into a community whose roots in the city go back more than a century.

Don’t miss

01The 51-metre minaret, a landmark of south-eastern Zagreb
02The prayer hall, combining traditional Islamic motifs with 1980s design
03Calligraphy by Ešref Kovačević
04The wider complex with a madrasa, library and community spaces

History & culture

The story of Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre

Muslims settled in Zagreb from the late 19th century, after Austria-Hungary took over the administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878. Islam was recognised as an official religion in Croatia in 1916. Plans for a mosque were discussed from 1912, but the city's first mosque came only in 1944, when the round art pavilion designed by Ivan Meštrović was converted and given minarets. That mosque was closed in 1948, and for decades worship took place in a small prayer room and private homes.

The push for a purpose-built centre began in the 1960s. A site in Borovje was allocated in 1977, construction started in 1981, and the complex was completed in 1987, with an opening celebration in September of that year attended by tens of thousands of people. A substantial donation from the Emir of Sharjah helped fund the project.

Local life & traditions

The centre serves as the seat of community life for Muslims in Zagreb and beyond, with religious education for children, a secondary school and social activities alongside worship. Major Islamic holidays bring large gatherings here. As in any mosque, visitors are expected to dress modestly, remove shoes before entering prayer areas and respect the separation of prayer spaces; women usually cover their hair.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Muslim visitors can join congregational prayers, including Friday prayers; it is sensible to check times with the Islamic Community in Croatia before travelling across the city. Non-Muslim visitors interested in the architecture should contact the community in advance rather than arriving unannounced, and should avoid prayer times.

The complex hosts lectures, exhibitions and celebrations for Islamic holidays, which makes it a lively community hub at Eid in particular.

When to go

The mosque can be visited year-round. Avoid prayer times unless you are attending to pray, and expect larger crowds on Fridays and during Ramadan and Eid. Zagreb itself is most pleasant in spring and early autumn.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Address: Gavellina ulica 40, Zagreb (Islamic Center - Zagreb Mosque). Source: infozagreb.hr ↗
Managing community: Islamic Community in Croatia (website: islamska-zajednica.hr), as listed by the Zagreb Tourist Board. Source: infozagreb.hr ↗
Facilities: Prayer space with a 51 m minaret, an Islamic secondary school (madrasa), a library, social spaces and administration, on about 10,000 square metres. Source: infozagreb.hr ↗
Completed: 1987; architects Džemal Čelić and Mirza Gološ of Sarajevo. Source: infozagreb.hr ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

No visiting hours or visitor rules are published online; contact the Islamic Community in Croatia before a non-prayer visit.
Dress modestly: long sleeves and trousers or long skirts; women should bring a headscarf.
Remove shoes before entering the prayer hall and keep voices low.
Avoid visiting during congregational prayers unless you are joining them.
The centre is outside the old town, so allow time for a tram or taxi ride from the city centre.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Zagreb Mosque and Islamic Centre: food, markets & places to stay

The centre is in a residential area south-east of Zagreb's city centre,. The historic Upper Town and Ban Jelačić Square are a tram or taxi ride away, as are the main railway and bus stations.