The Muslim Kara Musa Pasha mosque is located at the intersection of Arkadi (one of the main shopping streets of the city) and Victor Hugo near the Heroes ' square. Like most Ottoman buildings on the island, this building was the Venetian structure.

In the period of Venetian rule, the building housed the Cathedral of St. Barbara. The impressive facades of the Renaissance with decorative doorways and balconies belong to this time.

The mosque got its name in honor of the famous Ottoman Admiral and statesman of Kara Musa Pasha, who commanded the Navy, in 1646 won the city of Rethymno. After the establishment of Turkish domination, the architecture of the city has changed, enriched impressive Muslim flavor.

Altering the St. Barbara's Cathedral into a mosque by the Turks added a dome and minaret. Near the entrance of the mosque there is a fountain in which believers could take a bath before visiting the Holy abode. A crumbling minaret is located in the Western part of the building. In the courtyard there is a vaulted tomb, which most likely was buried the founder of the mosque. Also in the courtyard have survived multiple Muslim tombstones.

Wonderful architectural monument as a whole is very well preserved to our time. Today the Muslim Kara Musa Pasha mosque is closed to visitors. The building Inspectorate of Byzantine Antiquities and restoration works. Admire the beautiful ancient structure, in which the mixed gorgeous Venetian and Turkish architecture can still through the locked gate.