Zumurrud Khatun Mosque, Religious complex in Baghdad, Iraq
The Zumurrud Khatun Mosque is a religious complex in central Baghdad with a nine-layered muqarnas dome and small cupola rising above its rectangular compound. The structure features three decorated entrance openings that connect to an old marketplace, along with facilities including a library and prayer areas.
The complex was established in 1202 when Zumurrud Khatun, mother of Caliph Al-Nasir and wife of Abbasid Caliph Al-Mustadi, founded this religious site. The building represents an era when prominent women actively contributed to the construction of major religious works in Baghdad.
The complex houses both a Hanafi mosque and a Shafi'i extension, showing how different schools of Islamic thought coexist under one roof. This arrangement reflects a long tradition of respecting and accommodating different religious interpretations within the same space.
Visiting in early morning hours is best to see how sunlight filters through the small dome openings and creates special lighting effects in the burial chamber. The nearby marketplace can be busy and crowded, so plan your visit with flexibility in timing.
The nine-layered dome with its fine stucco decorations displays a rare craftsmanship technique rarely preserved in the region today. Building such a muqarnas structure required tremendous skill and years of planning, making it a valuable example of medieval architectural know-how.
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