Blue Mosque, Tabriz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Blue Mosque (Persian: مسجد کبود Masjed-i Kabud, Azerbaijani: Göy məscid) is a famous historic mosque in Tabriz, Iran. The mosque and some other public buildings were constructed upon the order Jahan Shah a ruler of Kara Koyunlu on 1465.

The mosque was severely damaged in an earthquake in 1778, leaving only the entrance iwan. Reconstruction carried out on 1973 by late Reza Memaran Benam under supervision of Iranian Ministry of Culture. However tiling still is uncompeleted.

Contents 1 History 2 Calligraphy 3 Location 4 See also 5 Gallery 6 External links 7 Reference

[edit] History

The Blue mosque of Tabriz was built upon the order of Jahan Shah; a ruler of Kara Koyunlu dynasty which made Tabriz the capital of his Kingdom. His Kingdom covered major parts of modern Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey. He was killed with Uzun Hassan (ruler of Ak Koyunlu) and buried on the southern part of the mosque. It is believed that the mosque construction is a monument for remembrance of victories of Jahan Shah. This is why the Al-fath, verses of Quran, is written around the entrance of the mosque.

The complex was completed, with supervisory of Aziz-e-Din-Qapuchi, on 1465 A.D. The original complex covered other complexes (including school, public bath and library), whole of them disappeared during earthquake on 1779 and only parts of the mosque was survived.

The mausoleum had been built in southern part. The span of mausoleum are covered with high marble slabs on which verses from Quran, are engraved in Thulth script on a background of fine arabesques. The roof of mausoleum and main dome chamber of the mosque collapsed during an earthquake in 1779-80 A.D. and was rebuilt in 1973; thanks to the efforts of Reza Memaran Benam, a famous architect from Tabriz, under the supervision of the national organization for reservation of ancient monuments. However tiling is still uncompleted.

[edit] Calligraphy

The divers Kufic, Thulth, … scripts the exquisite arabesque patterns and the admirable choramatic compositions, of these facades, which are truly stupendous, were created by Nematollah-ben-Mohammad-ol-Bavab, the famous calligraphist. The walls (inside & outside) had been covered with mosaic tiles.

[edit] Location

Currently the mosque is located behind Azerbaijan Museum, Imam Ave,Tabriz.

[edit] See also

• Iranian architecture

[edit] Gallery

Interior of the Blue Mosque.	One of the inner doors of the blue mosque	Plan of mosque reconstruction.	The Blue Mosque before reconstruction.
Part of a cultural complex behind the mosque.	The Blue Mosque after a heavy snow.	Khaqani Park behind the Blue Mosque.	Jahan Shah Grave at Southern Part of the Mosque.

[edit] External links

• Tabriz Historical Buildings Virtual Museum

[edit] Reference

• Persian Bulletin of Blue Mosque, Iranian Cultural Heritages Organization.

Coordinates: 38°04′24.91″N, 46°18′03.88″E

v • d • e Major monuments in Tabriz Amir Nezam House • Ark-e Tabriz • Bagh-e Golestan • Bazaar of Tabriz • Behnam House • Blue Mosque • Charm Sazi-e Khosravi • Eynali • Ghari Bridge • Kandovan • Maqbaratoshoara • Saat Tower • Saheb ol Amr • Saied Hamzeh Grave • Shah-goli • Tabriz Constitution House • Tabriz Fire Fighting Tower • Tabriz Railway Station • Tarbiyat street