Kharvana Jame’ Mosque

Kharvana is a district of Varzeqan County in East Azarbaijan Province of Iran. The old name of this area was “Karvana”, which indicated the passage of caravans through this area. This name also shows that the region has had an important position in terms of communication in the past; a position that had inspired the formation of residential, service, and cultural centers. Kharvana Jame’ Mosque was built during the Ilkhanate era as a center for serving social, cultural, and religious gatherings, rituals, and ceremonies. This mosque, which has been restored several times, since its foundation, is located about 70 km from the Varzeqan City.

Architecture and Features of Kharvana Jame’ Mosque

Kharvana Jame Mosque is built in a square shape and has two domes and one shabestan (nave). The interior of these domes, which have been built with bricks and their weight is loaded on the stone walls of the building, has been painted. These domes have not been placed on independent columns and this feature is an admirable thing reflecting the mastery and expertise of its architects. Despite the fact that the two domes are connected, a space can be seen between them when looked at from the outside.

Keeping in view the mountainous atmosphere of the region and the fact that stone was easily available, the walls of this building were built of stones and strengthened with wooden coils. Small plaster windows are also seen in the walls, which are used for air conditioning and providing light in the daytime. Of course, since winter is quite cold in this region, these windows were made in small dimensions so that the mosque could remain warm.

Inscriptions of Kharvana Jame’ Mosque

One of the important features of Kharvana Jame’ Mosque is the presence of three inscriptions, according to one of which, this mosque was built during the Ilkhanate era. This inscription is installed on the north wall of the mosque, next to the niche, and the date 742 AH, coinciding with 1341 AD, has been engraved on it. The niche and this inscription are made of four pieces of carved stone.

The second inscription is related to the year 1051 A.H., coinciding with 1641 AD, and the reign of Shah Safi I, when this mosque was restored by the daughters of the ruler of the region, Bayandor Beig Dizmari, and another woman named Nazlu Khatoon.

There is also another inscription, which dates back to the era of Naser al-Din Shah's reign and showing the date 1311 AH, coinciding with 1893 AD, when this mosque was restored for the third time - this time very fundamentally - by an architect named Karbalai Ahmad Ali. The mosque had been seriously damaged during the Iran-Russia wars that took place during the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. It seems that there was a pond and a fountain in the eastern part of the mosque before this incident the remains of which can still be seen near the mosque. Being located on a slope in Kharvana, this complex had a noteworthy piping system.

Kharvana Jame’ Mosque was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 2019.

Kharvana Jame’ Mosque, which is located about 70 km from Varzeqan City, was built during the Ilkhanate era as a center for serving social, cultural, and religious gatherings, rituals, and ceremonies.