Kond Mosque, Safavid mosque in Kentron District, Armenia
The Kond Mosque sits in the elevated quarter of Yerevan and displays features of Safavid architecture with walls about 1.5 meters (5 feet) thick. The structure uses brick and stone and has a square floor plan with a central dome, though the dome sustained damage during the 1988 earthquake.
The building was constructed in 1687 during Safavid rule and served the Muslim community as a prayer center. After the Russian capture of Yerevan in 1827, it ceased functioning for its original purpose and was repurposed for other uses.
The name refers to the surrounding quarter that has housed people from different backgrounds for centuries. Today you can walk through the narrow lanes and see how the architecture reflects this layered history of coexistence.
The site sits in an older residential quarter with narrow streets and is reachable on foot. Visitors should know that the building is currently occupied by residents and access may be restricted.
During the Soviet era, the building transformed into an artistic gathering place where Armenian artists and intellectuals worked and exchanged ideas. This unexpected shift shows how religious buildings took on new cultural roles under Soviet rule.
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