Tuba Shahi Mosque, 15th century mosque in Mardakan, Azerbaijan
Tuba Shahi Mosque is a 15th-century prayer hall in Mardakan built from local limestone with rectangular windows featuring geometric stone lattice designs. The interior is organized around a central domed space with side chambers positioned on all four sides.
The mosque was built between 1481 and 1482 at the order of Tuba Shahi, a wealthy woman who commissioned religious architecture in the region. Major restoration work took place in the early 1700s under Muhammad Khan, the Khan of Baku.
The mosque takes its name from Tuba Shahi, a wealthy patroness who shaped religious architecture in the region during the 15th century. Visitors can still observe the careful craftsmanship that reflects her commitment to creating a place of worship.
The structure is compact and easy to navigate, with side rooms directly accessible from the central prayer space, making a full visit quite straightforward. The best light for viewing the window patterns falls in early morning or late afternoon hours.
The mosque displays a rare symmetrical layout with four identical side chambers framing the central prayer space on all sides. This balanced design was unusual for regional mosque architecture of that era and sets it apart from the asymmetrical floor plans of many contemporary buildings.
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