The Blue Mosque
A tiled dome.
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An Islamic religious complex near Ganja, Azerbaijan's second city, built around the tomb of Ibrahim, a descendant of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir believed to have been buried here in the eighth century, making it a shrine visited by Muslims from across the Caucasus for centuries. Locals know it as the Blue Mosque for its blue-tiled dome. The complex has a mausoleum with an ornate blue dome, a newer mosque with two tall red-brick minarets, long arched galleries around the courtyard, and rooms for pilgrims and study. It was fully restored in the 2010s, bringing back the brick and coloured tile decoration and the Qur'anic inscriptions on its gates. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Modest dress is expected, women cover their hair, shoes come off in the prayer hall, and visits are best outside prayer times. It is a quiet place held in great respect by Azerbaijanis. Ganja is about four hours by car or train from Baku; pair the complex with Nizami's mausoleum and the Shah Abbas mosque in the city centre.
A tiled dome.
Since the eighth century.
Around the courtyard.
About 7 km north-east of central Ganja
Ibrahim, a descendant of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, believed buried here in the eighth century.