Jame’ Mosque of Shabestar

Situated in the west of East Azarbaijan Province, Shabestar County, the human habitation in which is believed to date back to the Urartu era (first millennium BC), houses several historical monuments related to post-Islamic periods (7th century AD onwards).

History of Jame’ Mosque of Shabestar

A Jame’ mosque is a mosque for holding the Friday and Eid prayers as well as organizing different religious ceremonies. These mosques were considered the most important centers for holding religious rituals and gatherings in every city in the past. These mosques have also had an important role in the social and cultural developments of the cities, and even after many centuries since the advent of Islam, they have maintained their importance. Jame’ Mosque of Shabestar, too, has had a very active role in different periods, including the struggle of the people of this city against the Ottomans.

Jame’ Mosque of Shabestar was initially located next to a garden, a market, and a bathhouse, and the three of them formed a recreational and economic complex in the center of this city. This mosque was bigger than what it is today and included a small square, a minaret, a portal, a dome, a shabestan (nave), and a garden.

The original building of this mosque was built in the Ilkhanate era (1256 to 1356 AD) but has been restored several times, as a result of which the initial façade of the mosque has changed to a great extent.

Architecture and Features of Jame’ Mosque of Shabestar

The mosque has been built in the form of a pillared nave with 42 vaults. 30 wide brick bases carry the weight of these 42 vaults. The mosque has a porch with several columns and a small wooden minaret that was made in the contemporary era.

One of the oldest parts of the mosque is its main minaret, which was built sometime after the establishment of the mosque and in the Timurid era (15th century AD). This minaret was also damaged in the past but was recently restored. The older parts that were built during the Ilkhanate era include a stone platform and some remains of the downstream of the mosque.

The dome of Jame’ Mosque of Shabestar is one of the most spectacular and important parts of it. The inscriptions that were made on this dome during the Safavid era, indicate the role of this mosque as being the main base of freedom fighters. The history of Shabestar also confirms the presence of famous scholars and mystics in this city, which shows that it had been one of the most important scientific and religious centers of the region for several centuries.

The important thing about this dome is its stability against natural disasters, especially the devastating earthquake that occurred in the region towards the end of the 19th century and destroyed many buildings. There is a building known as the “New Jame’ Mosque” behind the old domed hall and it seems that parts of the older Jame’ Mosque, eastern portico and the old buildings of the northern part, were destroyed for constructing the New Jame’ Mosque.

A few brick frames can be seen on both sides of the entrance of the mosque, which are the only decorative elements of the entrance. the inscriptions above the stone portal contain information about the restoration of the mosque during the Safavid period, the name of the donor, and the year of restoration. In the course of the restoration of this mosque during the Safavid era (16th century AD), the building of the mosque was completely restructured, to the extent that its entrance was moved from the northern part to the eastern part. Later, in the Qajar period (19th century AD), some other parts were added to the mosque, some of which do not exist anymore. The eastern porch and portal of the mosque are among the additions made during the Qajar era.

Jame’ Mosque of Shabestar was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 2011.

Jame’ Mosque of Shabestar is one of the sixteen tangible cultural heritage of East Azarbaijan Province of Iran, the original building of which was constructed in the Ilkhanate era and its minaret was added during the reign of the Timurids.