Jame’ Atiq Mosque of Shiraz

Having been built more than a thousand years ago, Jame’ Atiq Mosque of Shiraz has maintained its beauty, splendor, and glory and continues to welcome visitors. This mosque, which is also called “Adineh” (Friday) Mosque, is located in the east of Shah Cheragh Shrine.

History of the Jame’ Atiq Mosque of Shiraz

The construction of the mosque began in 265 AH (872 AD) and was completed in 281 AH (894 AD), which means it was built during the Saffarid era (ruled 861 to 1002 AD). Founded by Ya’qub ibn Layth (reigned from 861 to 879 AD), this dynasty ruled over Afghanistan and parts of Iran, Tajikistan, and present-day Pakistan, and the city of Zaranj, which is located in the southwest of today’s Afghanistan, was the capital of this dynasty. The Jame’ Atiq Mosque of Shiraz was completed during the time of Amr ibn Layth (reigned from 879 to 901 AD).

As per archaeological research, this mosque was built on the remains of an old place of worship, which was most likely a fire temple. Replacing the buildings that were used as fire temples and places of worship before the advent of Islam in Iran with mosques was common in the early Islamic centuries. Certain signs of the old building, which has been replaced by this mosque can still be observed.

Jame’ Atiq Mosque has undergone restoration and renovation several times including during the reigns of Atabegs of Fars in the 6th century AH (12th century AD), the Timurid Sultan Ibrahim Mirza, the son of Shah Rukh - who ruled over Fars in the early years of the 9th century AH (15th century AD) - and the Safavids (1501 to 1736). However, the last significant restoration and renovation of this mosque dates back to 1936.

The beautiful structure of this ancient mosque has been praised in numerous travelogues, the oldest of which dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries AD.

Architecture of the Jame’ Atiq Mosque of Shiraz

There is an entrance on the north side of this mosque, which is popularly known today as the Gate of “12 Imams” and is decorated with tiling and muqarnas. A porch and a nave can be seen in this part of the mosque. A tall arch known as the “Pearl Arch” and two minarets can also be seen in this part of the building.

A large shabestan (nave) has been built in the eastern part of the mosque, which can be entered through five separate gates. This nave has a stone niche and is located in the east of the Pearl Arch. The staircase leading to the rooftop is also located in this area. Inscriptions containing Qur’anic verses form the major part of the decoration of this part.

There is an entrance to the shrine of Shah Cheragh in the west of the mosque. Some 10 porticos can also be seen in this section leading to the oldest nave of the mosque, which has a narrow two-story structure. The niche of this nave is very beautiful and has been decorated with two spiral columns on both sides, eye-catching muqarnas work, and blue color tile works. An old pulpit with 13 steps is located next to the niche.

Dar al-Mushaf Mansion

By the order of Shah Ishaq Inju, the then ruler of Shiraz, a building was built in the middle of the courtyard of the Jame’ Atiq Mosque in the year 752 AH (1351 AD), which is called “Dar al-Musaf” or “Khoday Khaneh”. This place was used to store copies of the Holy Qur’an, and those who engaged in memorizing and scribing the Qur’an could use this place. There was a manuscript copy of the Holy Qur’an - written during the reign of the Safavid king, Shah Ismail I (reign from 1501 to 1524) - in this part of the mosque on each page of which the name of the mosque is written. This manuscript along with some other old copies of the Qur’ans are now kept in the Pars Museum of Shiraz.

This mansion is square-shaped with a round column and a porch in each corner. A room can be seen in the middle of the porch. The inscription of this building is considered very valuable and the art of Iranian calligraphy is fully displayed in it.

Jame’ Atiq Mosque of Shiraz was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in 1932.

Having been built more than a thousand years ago, Jame’ Atiq Mosque of Shiraz has maintained its beauty, splendor, and glory and continues to welcome visitors.