This mosque, erected near the shrine of the Imam Reza, captivates every onlooker with its immense blue dome. Rarely does a pilgrim visit Mashhad without exploring this historic, enduring mosque. Beyond its political and historical significance, its distinctive architectural beauty remains undeniable.
Another noteworthy aspect of this mosque is its connection to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) through eight small and large entrances. Spanning an area of 2,850 square meters, it stands as one of the world’s largest mosques. These structures are part of Razavi Astan Quds.
After many years, the Goharshad Mosque, besides being renowned as one of best places to visit in Mashhad, remains a significant venue for congregational prayers and the hosting of cultural and political events. With this brief introduction, i’ll delve into the history, architecture, and a comprehensive overview of the Goharshad Mosque in Mashhad. Stay tuned with me.
The Reason Behind Building the Goharshad Mosque
During the 8th century, under Timurid rule, the pinnacle of Islamic architecture manifested in exquisite mosques. Goharshad, a celebrated and influential woman of the era, commissioned the construction of this mosque in the year 818 AH.
Goharshad was the daughter of the Timurid Amir Ghiyathuddin Tarkhani, wed Shahrukh, the eldest son of Timur and his heir, at the age of 16.
It’s said that Goharshad was an exceptionally pure-hearted and devout woman, deeply devoted to the revered imams. With a profound desire, she commanded the construction of a grand, exquisite mosque adjacent to the sacred shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.), intending it to be her final resting place after passing.
Numerous legends surround the construction of this mosque, with one of the most renowned being the tale of a young laborer enamored with Goharshad. Her active involvement and disregard for conventions by overseeing the mosque’s construction captured the heart of this innocent young man. He confessed his love, prompting Goharshad to instruct him to observe a forty-day seclusion, urging him not to depart. After this period, the young worker transcended earthly love, discovering a love of celestial nature!
There exist numerous legends and myths surrounding the Goharshad Mosque, some of which carry profound sadness. Yet, perhaps nothing is as unsettling and tragic as the murder of Goharshad herself:
Goharshad met her demise in Herat due to a conspiracy involving several politicians during the uprising led by Mirza Abul Qasim Babur. At 88 years old, she breathed her last and was laid to rest in Herat, alongside her wife and her son Baisanqar Mirza.
Dome and minarets
The dome of the Goharshad Mosque stands at approximately 41 meters in height, crafted from glazed brick in a striking blue hue. Adorning this dome is an inscription inscribed in Kufic script.
Adjacent to this dome, two splendid golden minarets, reaching about 43 meters in height, grace the structure. These minarets were constructed on the ground and later raised beside the mosque’s dome.
The captivating allure of these dome and minarets is truly breathtaking and inspirational.
Its different parts and sights
In the following, I’ll introduce the key sections of the Gohar Shad Mosque that you simply must see:
Maqsura porch
The Goharshad Mosque boasts four very large porches, yet the most renowned among them is the Maqsura porch, surpassing the fame of the other entrances within the mosque.
This porch, situated in the southern section facing the courtyard, spans approximately 37 meters in length and rises to a height of 5 meters. It serves as the base for the dome of the Goharshad Mosque and houses the renowned minbar of the mosque, known as Minbar Sahib al-Zaman. Crafted entirely from marble, the mortar used in constructing this porch lends it a majestic quality. Adorning the forefront of this porch is the historical inscription by Baisanqar, the grandson of Gohar Shad and a distinguished calligrapher in the Tholt style. This inscription includes details about the construction year and the architect responsible for the Goharshad Mosque.
One of the other intriguing features of this porch is its exquisitely crafted stone altar, adorned with inscriptions of Quranic verses and stunning mosaic tiles.
Simple porch
Following the Maqsura porch, our next stop should be the “simple porch”, precisely parallel to the former and oriented towards the Qiblah.
This porch showcases the beauty of Islamic art, particularly in its calligraphy. An intriguing aspect of this structure is its facade embellished with an inscription detailing the restoration of this building during the Safavid era under Shah Abbas.
Among the array of inscriptions on this porch, notable are the Quranic verses engraved on the 11th and 12th arches, along with the porch’s facade. The signature on these calligraphic pieces belongs to Mohammadreza Emami Isfahani.
Western porch (water porch)
This porch, situated on the mosque’s west side, was once linked to the marketplace, but Nowadays, it is connected to Sheikh Bahauddin Ameli Street.
In the past, a water channel ran through this porch, supplying water to the mosque. This connection earned it the name Ivan Ab. Like the other porches of the Goharshahad Mosque, this one is adorned with Quranic surahs elegantly inscribed in calligraphy.
naves
Among the myriad wonders of the Goharshad Mosque, its distinctive naves stand out.
naves, defined as roofed spaces with numerous columns, are linked to the main courtyard of the mosque. However, it’s worth noting that columns are not an inherent feature of all naves, as seen in Ottoman-style mosques. Arguably, some of the most exquisite naves can be admired in the architecture of the Isfahan Imam Mosque and the Goharshad Mosque!
The typical purpose of naves in mosques has been to facilitate congregational prayers. Nowadays, besides serving as prayer spaces, mosques also host various cultural activities.
The Goharshad Mosque possesses many naves, each distinguished by its own beauty and artistic characteristics:
- Tabrizi nave
- Sabzevari nave
- nahavandi nave
- Najafabadi nave
- Alavi nave
The pulpit
In every mosque, a distinctive feature is its pulpit, and the Goharshad Mosque stands as perhaps the finest example, boasting a magnificent pulpit. The prominent feature in the porch is the lofty pulpit, rising almost 7 meters above the ground and comprised of 14 steps.
The pulpit, known as the Sahib al-Zaman pulpit, garners attention primarily for its intricate carving artistry. What’s remarkable about this inlay is the absence of iron and nails in its crafting technique. Ordered by Fath Ali Shah Qajar, this pulpit is entirely crafted from walnut and pear trees.
Finally
Having provided a comprehensive introduction to the Goharshad Mosque in Mashhad, it’s crucial to note its pivotal role in historical and political events. This mosque has been a site of significant decisions, from gatherings opposing the enforcement of hijab and the tragic loss of numerous lives to facing bombardment by Russian cannons!
Hope you enjoy visiting this Mosque, Ask any question in comments.