Blue Mosque

Name: Blue Mosque
Monument type: Mosque
Region: Yerevan
Periods: Medieval

Name: Blue Mosque

Other nominations: Huseyn Ali Khan Mosque, Gyoy djami, Gyok djami, Gyoymechet, Masjid qabud

Monument type: Shia mosque

Region: Yerevan

Community: Center administrative circle

Residence: Yerevan, 0015

Location: Mashtots avenue, 12 building

Preservation: Standing, active / functioning

Coordinates: 40°17’81” 44°50’56”

Elevation: 980 m

Era and chronology: It was built by Sardar Huseyn Ali Khan in 1765.

Blue Mosque: A Jewel of Yerevan’s Architectural Heritage

As you stroll through the vibrant streets of Yerevan, Armenia, a hidden gem awaits your discovery, a serene sanctuary where the past unfolds before you – the Blue Mosque. This mesmerizing architectural masterpiece stands as a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling city, inviting you to explore its sacred history and marvel at its intricate design.

With its cerulean-tiled domes and a rich heritage that dates back to 1765, the Blue Mosque is a cherished emblem of Yerevan, a timeless treasure that beckons you to embark on a journey through the annals of time.

In the heart of Yerevan, Armenia’s bustling capital city, where the echoes of modernity reverberate through time, stands a remarkable testament to the region’s rich and diverse cultural heritage – the Blue Mosque. Also known as Huseyn Ali Khan Mosque, Gyoy Djami, or Gyok Djami, this Shia mosque is a living relic of Yerevan’s past, offering a glimpse into centuries of history, religious devotion, and architectural grandeur.

As you walk along the vibrant Mashtots Avenue, the Blue Mosque awaits, its grandeur defying the bustling city that surrounds it. The mosque, constructed in 1765 by Sardar Huseyn Ali Khan, is a masterpiece of architectural ingenuity and artistic craftsmanship.

This magnificent structure, set against the backdrop of the towering Ararat Mountains, is a large rectangular building with an inner courtyard at its heart, boasting a once-essential fountain for ritual washing before prayers. Three arched interconnected prayer halls form the core of the mosque, providing a serene space for contemplation and devotion.

The central dome, flanked by two smaller ones, adds to the grandeur of the complex, while the mosque’s minaret, standing 24 meters tall, proudly announces its presence from the south-western corner. One of the mosque’s most distinctive features is its striking ceramic mosaic covering, dominated by shades of blue, earning it the popular name “Blue Mosque.” Delicate Arabic calligraphy, reading “YA ALI” (علي يا – و علي), gracefully adorns the central dome, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and artistic significance of the mosque.

Beyond its remarkable architecture, the Blue Mosque has a storied past. It once served not only as a place of worship but also as a hub for religious, educational, and domestic activities, with 28 cells along its walls providing multifaceted spaces for the community.

The complex, originally boasting three gates, has played various roles over the years. During the Soviet era, the mosque ceased its religious functions, serving as a venue for museums, a planetarium, and even a cafe. However, since 1995, the Iranian Embassy in Armenia has lovingly restored the mosque, returning it to its original purpose as a place of worship.

The Blue Mosque carries with it the whispers of time, tales of travelers, and a diverse cultural legacy. Baron August von Haxthausen, accompanied by Khachatur Abovyan, described the mosque’s interior as one of the most magnificent sights he had witnessed in Yerevan.

Today, the Blue Mosque stands as a living testament to Armenia’s historical and architectural heritage, inviting visitors to explore its rich past and bask in its timeless beauty. With the majestic Ararat Mountains as its backdrop, this grand structure is a true jewel of Yerevan, where the past seamlessly merges with the present, offering a glimpse into the city’s enduring cultural tapestry.

FACTS

❈ The Blue Mosque, also known as Huseyn Ali Khan Mosque, in Yerevan is a symbol of Armenia’s rich cultural heritage.

❈ Built in 1765, it features a remarkable architectural design with a central courtyard, prayer halls, and a 24-meter-tall minaret.

❈ The mosque is named after its distinctive blue ceramic mosaic and Arabic calligraphy adorning the central dome.

❈ In the past, the Blue Mosque served not only as a place of worship but also for various community activities.

❈ During the Soviet era, it was repurposed for museums, a planetarium, and a cafe.

❈ Since 1995, the Iranian Embassy in Armenia has restored the mosque to its original religious function.

❈ The Blue Mosque is a living testament to Armenia’s historical and architectural heritage, offering a glimpse into the city’s enduring cultural tapestry.

🧱 Archaeological description

Architecture
The structure is a large rectangular building (97.2 x 66 m) with a large rectangular courtyard in the center (71 x 47.4 m). There is a fountain in the center,that once served the faithful for ritual washing before prayers. The mosque is located on the southern side of the rectangular walled complex with 3 arched interconnected prayer halls. The separate rooms along the wall (28 cells) were once served for religious, educational and domestic purposes. The mosque has one minaret with a height of 24 m and is located in the south-western part, a large central dome and 2 smaller side domes. The minaret dome and mosque central dome have a ceramic mosaic covering, mainly with blue (sky blue) coloration (hence the popular name), with ornaments: you can read the Arabic calligraphy mirror writing “YA ALI” (علي يا – و علي) all around the central dome. In the first quarter of the XI century, the mosaic lining of the central dome was repaired, undergoing a significant change in appearance (L. Petrosyan). The complex is almost entirely brick, except for the tufa foundation (tsokol). The mosque complex had 3 gates leading to the inner courtyard: the southern and western gates were considered the main ones, and the eastern one was a small door leading to the outer courtyard and outside from there. The southern and western gates, as well as the entrance to the prayer halls of the mosque, were also framed with decorative ceramic tiles (preserved to this day). The western gates were closed with buildings. During the expansion and construction of the current Mashtots Avenue, the north-western part of the complex was also cut diagonally, and a new entrance was opened. During the Soviet years, the mosque did not function. At first, the Yerevan Museum of History and Nature was located in the Blue Mosque, where archaeological, historical and cultural exhibits were stored, later, a planetarium, in the beginning a cafe operated in the courtyard, and in later years various exhibitions were organized. Since 1995, the mosque has been handed over to the care of the Iranian Embassy in Armenia; it was repaired to become a functioning mosque again.

📜 Traditional legends

Traveler Baron August von Haxthausen visited the mosque accompanied by Khachatur Abovyan. Describing the interior of the mosque, he considered it the most magnificent building he had seen in Yerevan.

📚 Sources

Literature

Harutyunyan V. M., Asratyan M. M., Melikyan A. A. 1968, Yerevan, Moscow, Stroyizdat, 304 p.
Hakobyan T. 1971, History of Yerevan (1500-1800), Yerevan, Yerevan University Press, 524 pages.
Shahaziz E. 2003, Old Yerevan, Yerevan, Mughni Publishing House, 271 pages.
Petrosyan L. 2018, Mosques of Yerevan city (historical review), Arabic Studies, N 10, pp. 177-200.