| Ancient Congregational Mosque of Shiraz | |
|---|---|
مسجد جامع عتیق (شیراز) | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Friday mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Shiraz,Fars |
| Country | Iran |
  Location of the mosque inIran | |
| Coordinates | 29°36′29″N52°32′41″E / 29.608177°N 52.544828°E /29.608177; 52.544828 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | |
| Founder | Amir ibn al-Layth(AH 281) |
| Completed | |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | One |
| Minaret | Two(turret-style) |
| Minaret height | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Materials | Stone; bricks; plaster; ceramic tiles |
| Official name |
|
| Type | Built |
| Designated | 6 January 1932 |
| Reference no. | 72 and 73 |
| Conservation organization | Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran |
| [1] | |
TheAncient Congregational Mosque of Shiraz[a][b] is the oldest mosque ofShiraz, the capital ofOstane Fars inIran. Dating from the earliest part of the 9th centuryPersian Renaissance following the liberation of Shiraz from theAbbasid Caliphate, it was built over a pre-existing religious compound, most likely afire temple.[2]
Today it functions as aShi'iteFriday mosque. The 9th-century mosque is the oldest mosque in Shiraz, and was built in celebration of the reconquest of Shiraz from theAbbasids byAmr-e Laith Saffari of theSaffarid dynasty in 276AH (889/890 CE) and was completed in 281 AH (894/895CE). The mosque has been restored many times; and most of the present day structure – a four-iwan courtyard mosque – dates from the 17th century.
In the center of the mosque'ssahn is theKhuda Khane (lit. 'House of God').[c] Commissioned by Inju'id ruler Mahmud Shah (1325-1336) in 1351 for the storage ofQur'ans, this small kiosk is also known asBayt al-Mashaf (lit. 'House of Qur'ans' or'House of Books'). Both the mosque andKhuda Khane are aligned withqibla slightly east of south.[1]
The Atigh Jameh Mosque is located to the east ofShah Cheragh Shrine. Its various nocturnal areas (Shabestans) feature beautiful tile works on their ceilings. In the southern part of this mosque, there is a wall called “Nodbeh” which features a colourful depiction of a cedar. It is believed that on the night of Miraj,Buraq passed from this wall. The north gate, known as the "Imam Gate", is decorated withMuqarnas tiles.[3][4]
The main structure was completed in the 9th century. In the 11th century, twoiwans were added; and during the 12th century, the main prayer hall, dome,sahn, andmadrasa were completed. The southern and western iwans and arcades were added during the 17th century; and major renovations and expansions were finalised in the latter part of the 18th and early 20th centuries.
The mosque, including "Khuda Khane", were both added to theIran National Heritage List on 6 January 1932, administered by theCultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.
Construction of the Friday Mosque of Shiraz was completed in 895 CE during the reign of Saffarid ruler, Amir ibn al-Layth (878-900 CE). It was rebuilt, restored, and expanded various times thereafter; including substantive modifications, predominately during the 17th century. Damaged by numerous earthquakes, it was repaired and restored extensively after 1935.
The kiosk known asKhuda Khane consists of a rectangular core, with aloggia of three archedbays on each side, with solid circular towers projecting at the outer corners. The ensemble is raised on a marble platform. Of the original structure, only the towers, the platform and the ruined inner walls remained, as of the early twentieth century. It was rebuilt between 1937 and 1954 by the Archaeological Service of Iran based on the original design.[1]
Elongated on the north-south axis, the rectangular core of theKhuda Khane contains a square hall with four central doorways, and a small vestibule to its north housing a spiral staircase for roof access. The four doorways on its exterior – three for the square hall and one leading into the vestibule – are flanked by engaged columns and topped with flat muqarnas crowns.[1]
The core, which measures approximately 5.5 by 7 metres (18 by 23 ft), is enveloped by 2-metre-wide (6.6 ft) loggias to the east, west and north. The southern loggia, which faces the mosquesanctuary, is 3.5 metres (11 ft) wide. The twelve pointed arches of theveranda are carried on marble columns with bulbous bases and muqarnas capitals and square columns built into the corner towers. The arches of the east and west loggias are slightly wider; they are separated with rectangular panels resting on two pairs of columns at the center. A muqarnascornice wraps around the loggia arcades and the corner towers below the flat roof.[1]
TheKhuda Khane is built of rubble masonry and clad entirely with alternating square and rectangular panels of cut stone. It is adorned with a wide tile band below the muqarnas cornice containing a whiteThuluth inscription on a blue background with floralarabesques. The sides of the base platform are carved in relief with floral medallions. The date of construction 752 AH (1351/1352CE) is seen on the southeast tower.[1]
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