Twin minarets
And the great dome.
Murad Ahmadzada — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Shahin Shahbaz — CC BY-SA 3.0 · w0zny — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mardetanha — CC BY-SA 4.0 · slawkuwal — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ludvig14 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · slawkuwal — CC BY-SA 3.0
A large mosque in Shamakhi, the historic capital of Shirvan, about 120 kilometres west of Baku, and one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus: inscriptions date its founding to 126 AH, 743 or 744 AD, in the time of Umayyad rule over the region. Over the centuries the mosque was badly damaged many times by wars and by the earthquakes common in this region, and it has been rebuilt and restored repeatedly. It appears today in its present form after a major restoration in recent decades, which kept parts of its old foundations visible in the courtyard. It is known for its two tall minarets and large dome, a long facade of successive arches, and a wide courtyard framed by arcades, with fine ornament, inscriptions and large chandeliers inside. The area in front looks out over the town and the surrounding hills. Visiting is free and the mosque is busy with worshippers, so avoid prayer times, dress modestly, women cover their hair, and everyone removes their shoes. It lies on the road from Baku towards Gabala and Sheki, so it can be combined with the Diri Baba mausoleum on the way.
And the great dome.
In the courtyard.
Around the courtyard.
Shamakhi, about 120 kilometres west of Baku
It is among the oldest, dated by its inscriptions to the mid-eighth century, and considered second only to the Juma Mosque of Derbent.