Goharshad Mosque

Goharshad Mosque is one of the original places in the history of Iranian-Islamic architecture that dates back to Timurid period. It is considered as one of the must-see places in Mashhad. Stay with Persiana Travel and Tourism Agency in this article to learn more about Goharshad Mosque.

Introduction of Goharshad Mosque

Goharshad Mosque is located in the south of Holy Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad city. The elegance and beauty in the tiling and architecture of this monument has turned this building into one of the magnificent and ancient buildings of the Timurid era. It is one of the largest mosques in the shrine of Imam Reza and also has the oldest court in it. Its name is also remembered in two parts with mosaic tiles, one above the entrance door of the porch and the other in the inscription of the porch.

This place is located in the south of Imam Reza Shrine and is one of the must-see places on a trip to Mashhad. It is bounded from the north by the portico of Dar al-Siadeh and Dar al-Hafaz, from the south by the Quds courtyard, from the east by the portico under construction by Imam Khomeini, and from the west by Sheikh Baha’i.

This impressive structure has four porches with a beautiful architecture. The total area of ​​it, is about 9410 square meters. It is the largest mosque in the Razavi complex, and its court area is 2,850 square meters. This court is the oldest court in terms of age, and it was built in the south of the holy shrine.

History of Goharshad Mosque

This masterpiece was built by the order of Goharshad Aghar, the daughter of Amir Ghiyathuddin, the wife of Shahrukh Timurid. This place dates back to 1415 and was built on the south side of Imam Reza’s shrine in Mashhad. Mrs. Goharshad was one of the famous women of the Timurid era, who consulted on state affairs. Her name is written in two places of the building, one above the entrance door of the Darlesiyadeh porch. The other one is in the inscription of the Maqsureh porch with the beautiful calligraphy with mosaic tile. This calligraphy belongs to Prince Baisanqar Mirza who is the founder of the mosque.

The construction of this building was completed in 1418. Goharshad was one of the famous women of the Timurid era. She did many services for the people during the reign of her husband. She is always remembered well and with the construction of this place her name will remain forever.

Goharshad Mosque is a masterpiece of Iranian Architecture

The main architect of this building was Qawamuddin Shiraz, one of the most famous architects of the Timurid period. It is a masterpiece of Iranian architecture in the Timurid period. The architectural style of this masterpiece is the architectural style of Iranian mosques with four porches and a dome. It is unique in terms of features of Islamic architecture in design, style and line and mosaic tiles, muqarnas and plasterwork with artistic decorations.

The building of it includes 8 large porches and 7 chapels. The southern porch is called the Maqsureh porch, which is the largest porch. The northern porch is known as Dar al-Siyadeh porch. The eastern porch is the etekaf porch and the western porch’s name is Sheikh Bahauddin porch. The four porches of it are located in a square-shaped courtyard. There are also large prayer halls in the middle of the porches. You can see Iranian art throughout this building.

Domed arches and beautiful minarets make this building unique. The minarets of the mosque are also in the style of muqarnas and mosaic work of the Timurid era. All sides of it covered with mosaic tiles. On the walls of it, the names of Allah, verses of the Qur’an and hadiths can be seen.

Although six hundred years have passed since the construction of the mosque, the strength and permanence of it shows its greatness and antiquity. This building has been damaged by natural and human factors over time but it has been renovated several times. After the Islamic revolution, renovations started and a series of fountains and drinking fountains added in the middle of the courtyard.

The porches of Goharshad Mosque

Maqsureh porch

Goharshad Mosque has tall transoms which locate in the middle of the four sides of its complex. The largest of them is Maqsureh porch that locates on the south side of the courtyard. The porch is 35 meters long with different widths. At the end of the porch, there is a beautiful altar. The border around it is decorated with a repaired inscription with mosaic tiles. The inner bases of the porch decorated with white marble stones.

Eastern porch

The third porch is the eastern porch of the mosque, which was known as Haj Hassan’s porch in the past. This porch is connected to Imam Khomeini’s portico. Inside the porch and on the north and south sides, there are three arches in the upper part. There are beautiful inscriptions in Kufi script on tiles. These inscriptions are on the front of the porch, on both sides of the base of the porch and the front of the altar and on the marble ceiling.

North porch

it faces the qibla in the same way as the porch of Maqsureh. This porch is connected to Dar al-Siadeh portico. On the front of the porch, an engraved inscription with a text written in a beautiful script. This script presents the restoration of the reign of Shah Abbas Safavid.

West porch

The fourth porch is the west porch, which was connected to the bazaar in the past. Today, it is connected to the Sheikh Bahauddin Ameli mosque by a large door in the middle of the porch, known as the stone door. In the past, the name of this porch was “Water Porch”. The channel for the passage of water into the mosque was under the porch. Inside this porch, three arches face the qibla.

Dome, Minarets and Prayer halls of Goharshad Mosque

Dome

the dome is 41 meters high and decorated with glazed bricks and an inscription in Kufic script. Unlike other mosques, the dome of Goharshad Mosque is built in a square shape on a rectangular porch. The half dome is covered with white plaster and painted under the dome and the entire exterior decorated with mosaic tiles.

Minarets

the beautiful minarets of this building are 43 meters high and there are wonderful inscriptions on them. The interesting thing about the minarets is that they were built from the ground and went up next to the porch.

Prayer halls

all the prayer halls of the mosque are situated around the porches. These prayer halls decorated with thick foundations and a hammered roof in the style of the traditional architecture of Iranian mosques. But they still retain the old style. These seven prayer halls have been called by different names in different eras.

Goharshad Mosque is a beautiful historical work that shows the glory of Iranian-Islamic art in the Timurid period. Goharshad Mosque can be very attractive and eye-catching for tourists in terms of architectural art. If you want to visit a historical place in addition to pilgrimage, Persiana Travel and Tourism Agency suggests you to travel to Mashhad.