Dating back to the second half of the 7th century AH, Urmia’s Friday Mosque is located in the middle of Urmia Bazaar. It has a vast courtyard and a large brick Shabestan (covered area), roofed in the middle part with a high dome. The altar of the mosque is 7.82m high and 5.48m wide, with lines and stucco work that are among the most beautiful works of art remained from the Mongol period. The altar’s stucco work was done by master Abd-ol-Moemen Tabrizi in 676 AH, but it is possible that the mosque itself dates further back. The mosque was restored in 1184 AH on the orders of Urmia’s governor, Reza Gholi Khan Beiglar Beigi of the Afshar tribe.

The mosque, which has been completed to its present shape through different ages, boasts of a number of artistic works representing each of these ages: 

1. The old domed Shabestan, which is in fact the main and original core of the whole structure, displaying all the characteristics of an old building with Islamic architecture. The construction of this part of the mosque was almost certainly accomplished during the Seljuk dynasty (6th century AH) 
2. The massive altar inside the domed Shabestan, displaying the most impressive style of work and exquisite stucco work, dating back to 676 AH and the rule of Ilkhanids. 
3. Forty old pillars connected to the domed Shabestan, apparently added later than the Shabestan itself. A collection of miscellaneous broken items have been discovered in the earth beneath the pillars, which take the date of construction back to the Ilkhanids. 
4. The old chambers surrounding the courtyard, which date back to the early Zand dynasty. An existing stone inscription sets the date of construction at 1184 AH.

View Pictures