refined masterpieceShah Abbas Mosque
Shah Abbas Mosque - also known as Juma Mosque - was constructed in 1606 by order of the Safavid ruler Shah Abbas, based on the design of the architect Sheikh Baha' al-Din al-Amili. Built with red bricks in the style of the Aran architectural school, the mosque is of great importance for studying the architecture of the period. Around the same time, mosques of a similar style were also built in Gazakh, Tovuz and several other locations. Carved decorations on the mosque’s stone parapet are rare occurrences of the Azerbaijani art of ‘shebeke’. These intricate forms, seemingly painted by an artist's brush, add a mysterious grandeur to the mosque that delights the senses of visitors. According to tradition, the shadow falling on the western wall of the mosque at noon signals the beginning of prayer. Two stone inscriptions above the entrance gate of the mosque are preserved to this day, one in Arabic and the other in Persian.
Shah Abbas Mosque is protected by the state and has undergone several major repairs and restorations over the years.
For more information:
- Shah Ismayil Khatai Avenue, Ganja
- Open daily, 10:00-22:00
